A ‘STANDBY’ power plant may be built on the outskirts of Oswestry.

Gloucestershire-based Enso Energy Ltd says the gas-powered works on farmland between the Whittington Road and the A5 could be operational by the end of 2019 or early 2020.

It would produce electricity for the National Grid during peak demand.

Rachel Gaffney, planning consultant with Enzygo, said the National Grid operates at 50Hz but if it drops below 49.5Hz it could lead to blackouts, which is where standby facilities like the one proposed come in.

She said: “The primary function of the proposed facility is to provide electricity to the local distribution network at times of peak demand.

“This mechanism for balancing the system ensures a sufficient supply of electricity is readily available to local homes and businesses at all times.

“The proposed development will primarily respond to calls from National Grid in times referred to as ‘stress events’ – when the electricity networks’ reserve power balance has been reduced due to a surge in demand, or reduced availability of large scale generation (i.e. coal, wind, solar).

“Accordingly, when required by the National Grid, the facility will be turned on remotely, the gas combusted and the combustion gas would spin a generator to generate up to 30MW electricity which is exported to the local distribution network.”

The full application includes the siting of 30 generators, two cabins, a substation, security columns, gas governor, transformers, plus acoustic and security fencing.

It will also require alterations to the existing access point off the A5 and formation of roadways, plus a temporary compound which will be in place during the six months construction period.

Construction will take place Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm, and on Saturdays between 8am to 5pm.

Ms Gaffney said the plant, which will connect to the network via the adjacent substation, will mainly operate between 7.30am and 8.30pm, but could operate outside these hours if necessary.

She added: “Standby energy generation facilities deliver numerous benefits to the consumer by helping to support both the National Grid and the DNOs (distribution network operators).

“By spreading assets across the country, as opposed to in large centralised locations, power balancing facilities can provide regional benefits by limiting local electrical losses, increasing system efficiency and helping integrate

more renewable technology.

“They also provide nationwide benefits by responding to National Grid’s requirements to support the UK system.”

A decision from Shropshire Council is expected by the end of the year.