News story

8th September 2004

MP Visits Internationally-Renowned Local Power Station

Richard Holman, General Manager, Steve Webb MP and operations technician Matthew Thomas.

Northavon MP Steve Webb this week visited the Seabank Power station at Hallen to find out more about a power station that is widely regarded as one of the most efficient in the world. The MP was shown around by general manager Richard Holman, who told Steve Webb about the history of the station and briefed him on current issues in the energy market, before giving him a guided tour of the plant. The station generates  electricity by means of gas turbines, using gas that is pumped across South Gloucestershire along a 26km pipeline from Pucklechurch. At peak output, the station can supply enough electricity to the National Grid equivalent to the entire power needs of the whole Bristol and Bath area. One of its distinguishing features is that the level of output from the plant can be varied according to the level of supply and demand for power elsewhere in the system. Such flexibility is vital to the smooth running of the nation's electricity system.

Commenting after his visit, Steve Webb said:

"The issue of our current and future energy needs is a very important one in Parliament, and I gained a much deeper understanding of the issues by visiting Seabank. It was good to hear of a local firm using world-beating technology and providing jobs for more than fifty people. I also appreciate the work that the company has done to improve the section of the national cycle route that runs across its land."