The Port Talbot Steelworks (Power Generation Enhancement) Order Environmental Statement Vol. 1: Non-technical Summary

Transcription

1 Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 The Port Talbot Steelworks (Power 6.01 Environmental Statement Vol. 1: Non-technical Summary PINS Reference EN Document No Regulation Author 5(2)(a) and Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009 AECOM Revision Date Description 0 Submission Version

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3 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Figures FIGURE 1.1 FIGURE 1.2 FIGURE 3.1 FIGURE 3.2 FIGURE 3.3 FIGURE 3.4 FIGURE 3.5 SITE LOCATION ORDER LIMITS LANDSCAPE DESIGNATIONS ECOLOGICAL DESIGNATIONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES UNITARY AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT FIGURE 4.1 PHOTOMONTAGE FROM VIEWPOINT 4 FIGURE 4.2 FIGURE 4.3 FIGURE 4.4 FIGURE 4.5 PROPOSED NOISE LOCATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY FLOOD MAP WELSH GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT ADVICE MAPS CUMULATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

4 Abbreviations & Glossary A48 AQMA AQS BAT BCBC BFG Blow Down Main road which lies to the northeast of the site Air Quality Management Area Air Quality Standard Best Available Technique Bridgend County Borough Council Blast Furnace Gas The process where the mineral concentration in water has increased due to evaporative losses and requires treatment using a water treatment system and / or chemicals before being discharged. BOS BREF BS BTA CCGT CCS CO 2 CoCP Critical Load Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Best Available Technique Reference Documents British Standard Boiler Turbo Alternator Combined Cycle Gas Turbine City and County of Swansea Carbon Dioxide Code of Construction Practice The quantitative estimate of the level of exposure of natural systems to pollutants below which significant harmful effects on specified sensitive elements of the environment do not occur. CTMP DAM DCO DECC Construction Traffic Management Plan Development Advice Map Development Consent Order Department of Energy & Climate Change

5 DMP DMRB EIA Dust Management Plan Design Manual for Roads & Bridges Environmental Impact Assessment EIA Regulations Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009 ELV Emission Limit Values ELVs are a maximum permitted emission into the environment, fixed through an environmental permit as specified by legislation. EMS EPR ERFMP ES FCA GGAT HGV HMP HRA HSI IAQM IED kv km LANDMAP Environmental Management System Environmental Permitting Regulations Emergency Response and Flood Management Plan Environmental Statement Flood Consequences Assessment Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust Heavy Goods Vehicle Habitat Management Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Habitat Suitability Index Institute of Air Quality Management Industrial Emissions Directive Kilovolt measure of electrical current Kilometre This is the welsh approach to landscape assessment using geographical information systems (GIS) to define key landscape resources in a structured and rigorous way LHA LPA Local Highway Authority Local Planning Authority

6 LVIA M4 Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment Main motorway to the north of the proposed development m MMP MWC MWe Metres Materials Management Plan Main Works Contractor Mega Watts Electrical measure of energy, one million watts MWth NMP NNR NO 2 NPTCBC NPTLDP NPTUDP NPS NPS EN-1 NPS EN-2 Mega Watts Thermal measure of heat energy Noise Management Plan National Nature Reserve Nitrogen Dioxide Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Emerging Neath Port Talbot Local Development Plan Neath Port Talbot Unitary Development Plan National Policy Statement Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure NPS EN-4 National Policy Statement for Gas Supply Infrastructure and Gas and Oil Pipelines NPS EN-5 National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure NRW NSIP NSR NTS Natural Resources Wales (formally EAW and CCW) Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Noise Sensitive Receptor Non-Technical Summary

7 Order Limits The site boundary defined by the Development Consent PA Planning Act 2008 Order and denoted by a red line in figures. PCU PDR Passenger Car Units Peripheral Distributor Road (Otherwise known as the Harbour Way ) PEIR PINs PM 10 Preliminary Environmental Information Report Planning Inspectorate Extremely small particulates or particulate matter (in the order of ~10 micrometres or less) PPP PPW PROWs PTREP Ramsar Pollution Prevention Plan Planning Policy Wales Public Rights of Way Prenergy Port Talbot Renewable Energy Plant Wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention SAC SOCC SoS SSSI TA Special Area of Conservation Statement of Community Consultation Secretary of State Site of Special Scientific Interest Turbo Alternators (Differentiation - this is followed by a number) TANs Tata Steel UK Limited WMP WTMP ZTV Technical Advice Notes The Applicant Waste Management Plan Water Management Plan Zone of Theoretical Visibility

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Introduction Tata Steel UK Limited ( the Applicant ) intends to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change (SoS) through the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for an Power Generation Enhancement at Port Talbot Steelworks (hereby known as the proposed development ) The proposed development exceeds 50 megawatts (MWe) installed generating capacity, and is therefore designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act Environmental Impact Assessment The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009 (as amended) (the EIA Regulations) apply in the case of applications under the Planning Act The EIA Regulations require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be carried out to determine the likely effects of a proposed development on the environment. An Environmental Statement (ES) reports the findings of the EIA and this has been prepared by AECOM on behalf of the Applicant to accompany the application for a DCO. 1.3 Purpose of this Report This document provides a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the information set out in the ES which accompanies the Applicant's application for development consent Within the ES, the likely effects of the proposed development have been divided into topic specific chapters, and assessments have been made for each topic in relation to the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed development.

9 1.3.3 This NTS is intended to provide a non-technical summary of the information contained in the ES which provides an understanding of: What the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed development would be; and Potential mitigation measures to minimise or avoid adverse effects, where appropriate Any significant effects that are identified as arising from the proposed development may be beneficial or adverse, and temporary or permanent. The methodology section within individual chapters of the ES sets out how a significant effect is identified in relation to each topic and the process that has been undertaken to assess any potential environmental effects Mitigation measures are actions that are implemented to reduce the significance of an environmental effect. Should a significant effect remain after the implementation of mitigation measures, this is known as a significant residual effect. 1.4 Submission The SoS will consider the application, which will contain the ES and all other relevant technical information, as part of his responsibilities for determining the application. He will also take into account any representations made by interested parties during the examination of the application. 1.5 Further Information and Consultation Additional copies of the NTS can be requested free of charge and are available from the project website ( Translated copies in welsh are available upon request The ES is available on the project website ( and can be inspected at several local venues. Copies are available on request and will be charged at 100 for a printed hard copy (including appendices) and 10 for an electronic copy on CD/DVD. The ES will also be available on the PINS website.

10 1 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction This document is the non-technical summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES) for the Power Generation Enhancement at Port Talbot Steelworks (hereafter referred to as the proposed development ). The ES has been produced to accompany the Development Consent Order (DCO) Application The proposed development exceeds 50 megawatts (MWe) installed generating capacity and is therefore a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) which requires development consent through the making of a DCO by the Secretary of State This NTS gives an overview of the proposed development, including the need for the project, the alternatives that have been considered and a description of the proposed development itself. This NTS also provides an overview of the conclusions reached in the ES. Feedback received during the pre-application consultation process has helped to inform the detail of the proposed development and to further refine the EIA. The full and detailed findings of the EIA have been presented in the ES The proposed development is defined by the red line boundary known as the Order Limits This document is a summary (in non-technical language) of the ES for the proposed development. The ES and the NTS have both been prepared in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009 (the EIA Regulations ). 1.2 The Applicant Tata Steel UK Limited is the applicant for this DCO application and owns the vast majority of the land for the proposed development. The Order Limits

11 2 also include two small sections of land owned by Network Rail, which comprise a disused internal railway within the steelworks site. The railway line will be crossed by electrical cables and an extension to the gas pipe network, which forms part of the proposed development For the purposes of this document, reference may be made to Tata Steel in a wider sense which includes a number of steelmaking companies all owned by the same parent company operating in various jurisdictions, of which Tata Steel UK Limited is the company operating in the UK. However, all references to "the Applicant" are to Tata Steel UK Limited which owns and operates the Port Talbot steelworks and is the DCO Applicant for the proposed development. 1.3 The Proposed Development Tata Steel UK Limited ( the Applicant ) is proposing to build an Internal Power Generation Enhancement at the Port Talbot Steelworks ( proposed development ). This comprises a new power generation building and associated infrastructure, as well as a new electrical connection, which will connect the new power generation building with an existing substation situated in the south east of the Port Talbot site. This is shown on Figure 1.1 and The proposed development will include the installation of up to two new boilers (nominally 164 Mega Watt thermal (MWth) each) and associated steam turbines sets (with total gross capacity of up to 150 Mega Watt electrical (MWe)) These new boilers and turbines will be housed in new buildings adjacent to the existing power generation facilities and will be connected to the existing Blast Furnace Gas (BFG) distribution network in order to receive fuel gases through new pipe work Once the proposed development is fully installed and in continuous and reliable operation, three turbo alternators (nominally 7-8MWe each), four boilers and up to three stacks from the existing power generation facilities will be decommissioned. The Applicant is not seeking to demolish these under this application but will apply to the local planning authority for the

12 3 necessary consents (as required) once the proposed development is fully commissioned and in reliable and continuous operation The proposed development would result in the total onsite power generation capacity at the Port Talbot site increasing up to a maximum of 245MWe The Applicant is seeking a consent which provides flexibility for the two options for construction of the proposed development. Option 1 represents the complete installation and will be built within one construction phase. Option 2 is a phased build with two construction phases, with around 50% of the total proposed development being constructed at each stage. Further detailed information on these options is provided in Chapter 3 of this NTS and Chapter 3 of the ES. 1.4 Background & Justification for the Proposed Development The Applicant is one of the major employers within South Wales and is currently investigating all options to increase competitiveness in a global market. Significant investment has already been made into the Port Talbot site (for example the rebuild of Blast Furnace 4 and construction of a Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) gas waste heat recovery plant). There is the ambition to increase production up to 4.7 million tonnes of iron per annum from the existing 4.1 million tonnes currently produced To remain cost competitive, the energy efficiency of the site needs to be optimised The existing power generation facilities contain equipment dating back to the 1950s which does not have sufficient capacity to convert the available process gases associated with the current and increased iron production. The proposed development therefore represents an opportunity to significantly increase energy efficiency through the introduction of modern equipment The proposed development will have a number of net benefits including: Air quality improvements through the reduction in flared process gases;

13 4 Saving of approximately 400,000 tonnes per annum of CO 2 compared to grid generators (based on generation from coal fired stations) 1 ; Reduced onsite electricity imports (from approximately 65MWe to 10MWe per annum on average) from the grid; Increased operational efficiency and reliability of onsite power and steam production; and Increased economic efficiency through cost reduction to help protect the long-term future of steelmaking in South Wales In conclusion, the increase in total onsite power generation capacity as a result of the proposed development will reduce the requirement for electricity imports and hence significantly reduce the site's cost base and improve its environmental performance. 1.5 The Planning Framework The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published a number of National Policy Statements (NPSs) in relation to energy infrastructure, which were designated by the SoS in July These NPSs set out national policy against which proposals for NSIPs are assessed and determined. The DCO application for the proposed development will be determined in accordance with these policies Due to the nature of the proposed development (which will generate over 50MW of electricity), four of the designated NPSs are considered relevant to the determination of the proposed DCO Application: Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy EN-1: This sets out national policy for energy infrastructure as defined by the Planning Act 2008, which provides the primary basis for decisions by the SoS; National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure EN-2: This sets out policies specific to the determination of applications for fossil fuel electricity generating infrastructure; 1 Based on 0.8 tonnes of CO 2 per MWh. Average onsite electricity import from the grid reduced by 55MWe as a result of proposed development

14 5 National Policy Statement for Gas Supply Infrastructure and Gas and Oil Pipelines EN-4: This sets Government policy on the relevant considerations and factors that should be taken into account as to route selection for developers for gas pipelines and other infrastructure; and National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5): This provides the primary basis for decisions taken by the SoS on applications it receives for electricity network NSIPs, including the relevant considerations and factors that should be taken into account related to route selection NPS EN-1 states that consideration may be given to planning policy outside the NPSs where it is important and relevant to the SoS's decision. Other national, regional and local planning policies have therefore been considered in the preparation of the PEIR as these may be relevant to the determination of the proposed DCO Application, including: National Planning Policy Framework; Planning Policy Wales (PPW) (6th Edition, November 2012); PPW Technical Advice Notes (TANs); People, Places, Futures: The Wales Spatial Plan Update (July 2008); Economic Renewal: A New Direction (July 2010); Neath Port Talbot Unitary Development Plan (NPTUDP) (March 2008); and Neath Port Talbot Local Development Plan (NPTLDP) (Deposit, August 2013).

15 6 2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 2.1 Approach to EIA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of compiling, evaluating and presenting environmental information about the likely significant environmental effects of a proposed development. The assessment is designed to help produce an environmentally informed project. The early recognition of likely significant adverse environmental effects enables appropriate mitigation (e.g. measures to avoid, reduce or offset significant adverse effects) to be identified and incorporated into the design of a project/scheme; or included as a commitment on how the project will be constructed and/or operated, and what measures will be taken to protect the environment during construction The EIA provides the decision maker with information about the likely significant environmental effects of the project and proposed mitigation to assist with the determination of relevant applications. Scoping Scoping is a process which seeks to identify a suitable approach to the EIA based on the best information available at the time that a scoping opinion is sought. The Scoping Opinion received from the SoS on 5 th November 2013 has shaped the scope of assessments which informed the PEIR and will be taken forward as part of the EIA process. EIA In accordance with relevant regulations, the EIA process for the proposed development incorporates the following main steps: Establishing the scope of the EIA through consultation by preparing a scoping report and obtaining a Scoping Opinion from the SoS; Consideration of project alternatives, both technical and environmental;

16 7 Compiling information about the existing environmental conditions (known as 'the baseline') to identify and describe the environmental character of the area potentially affected by the proposed development; Identification of the potential environmental impacts resulting from the proposed development; Making recommendations to avoid, minimise or mitigate adverse effects and enhance positive effects. Alterations to the design are then reassessed and the significance of likely residual environmental impacts assessed; and Assessing the likely significant impacts between the proposed development and neighbouring developments (cumulative impacts) and between two or more effects from the proposed development (incombination impacts) The Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) is an intermediate step in the EIA process, and provides environmental information compiled by the Applicant to date, to enable consultees to develop an informed view of the project. The PEIR assesses the likely environmental effects of the proposed development and identifies potential approaches to mitigation based on the environmental and social data collated to date, and outlines whether further assessment needs to be carried out Feedback received during the pre-application consultation process has helped to inform the detail of the proposed development and to further refine the EIA. The full results of the technical studies are provided in the ES, which accompanies the application for the DCO. Consultation Consultation is a key requirement of the 2008 Planning Act, which requires applicants to consult with both technical (Section 42) and community (Section 47) consultees The Applicant has engaged in pre-application consultation with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC), PINS and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) prior to the submission of the DCO.

17 The project concept was also introduced to the Energy, Water and Flood, and Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science departments within the Welsh Government NPTCBC and NRW have been key consultees throughout the DCO process Consultation with local people, businesses and organisations is also an essential part of the DCO process and has helped to influence the final designs of the proposed development. Public Consultation Tata Steel UK Limited has engaged with the local community throughout the application process. The Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) (published on 15 th January 2014) provides further details of this engagement, and the recording of all consultation and responses have been detailed in the Consultation Report also submitted with the DCO application Full details of the consultation that has been undertaken by Tata Steel in connection with the proposed development are provided in the Consultation Report (Document Reference 5.01). 2.2 Significance of Effects The determination of the significance of the likely environmental effects arising from the proposed development is a key stage in the EIA process. In order to assess the overall significance of an impact, it is necessary to establish the magnitude of the impact occurring, i.e. the change to the existing conditions as a result of the development and the sensitivity or importance of the receiving environment or receptor. Assessment of significance for environmental topics will combine professional judgment with consideration of a number of factors: The type of effect, i.e. whether it is adverse, beneficial, neutral or uncertain; The probability of the effect occurring based on the scale of certain, likely or unlikely;

18 9 The sensitivity of the resource or environmental feature (known as 'a receptor') under consideration; The magnitude of the impact in relation to the degree of change which occurs as a result; and Whether the effect is temporary, permanent, and/or reversible The sensitivity of the baseline conditions (the existing environmental baseline of the surrounding area) is assessed according to the relative importance of existing environmental features on or near to the site, or by the sensitivity of receptors, which would potentially be affected by the development. Receptors can be human or environmental, such as ecological, geological or waterbodies Table 2.1 (below) lists the criteria for the determination of the sensitivity (or the importance or value of receptors) based on approved guidance, legislation, statutory designation and/or professional judgment. Table 2.1: Criteria for determining sensitivity of receptors Sensitivity Very High High Medium Low Negligible Definition The receptor has little or no ability to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of very high environmental value, or of international importance. The receptor has low ability to absorb change without fundamentally altering its present character, is of high environmental value, or of national importance. The receptor has moderate capacity to absorb change without significantly altering its present character, has some environmental value or is of national importance. The receptor is tolerant of change without detriment to its character, is low environmental value, or local importance. The receptor is resistant to change and is of little environmental value The magnitude of potential effects on environmental baseline conditions is identified through consideration of the proposed development taking into account the scale or degree of change from the existing baseline as a result

19 10 of the effect. Consideration is given to the duration and reversibility of the effect as well as consideration of relevant legislative or policy standards or guidelines. Table 2.2 provides a general definition for determining the magnitude of a particular effect. Table 2.2: Criteria for determining the magnitude of a particular effect Magnitude High Medium Low Negligible Definition Total loss or major alternation to key elements/features of the baseline conditions such that post development character/composition of baseline condition will be fundamentally changed. Loss or alteration to one or more key elements/features of the baseline conditions such that post development character/composition of the baseline condition will be materially changed. Minor shift away from baseline conditions. Changes arising from the alteration will be detectable but not material; the underlying character/composition of the baseline condition will be similar to the predevelopment situation. Very little change from baseline conditions. Change is barely distinguishable, approximating to a no change situation The general approach adopted in the assessment of significance is outlined in Table 2.3 below. A combination of the magnitude of the impact under consideration and the sensitivity of the receiving environment determines the significance of effect. For some specialist topics, additional categories have been added where a greater level of definition is required. It should be noted that this general approach is a framework only, the significance of an effect is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

20 11 Table 2.3 Approach to Assessment of Effects Magnitude Sensitivity Very High High Medium Low Negligible High Major Major Moderate Moderate Minor Medium Major Moderate Moderate Minor Negligible Low Moderate Moderate Minor Negligible Negligible Negligible Minor Minor Negligible Negligible Negligible The significance of the effects arising from the proposed development have been reported using a seven-point scale, as follows: Major Adverse, Moderate Adverse, Minor Adverse; Negligible; and Major Beneficial, Moderate Beneficial, Minor Beneficial Effects predicted to be Minor are considered to be manageable and such effects are Not Significant. Effects assessed as Moderate or Major are considered to be 'Significant'. When the significance of impacts is assessed this takes into account mitigation, i.e. the assessment applies to the residual impacts of the project, which can be defined as any impact that would remain following the implementation of proposed mitigation measures These may differ between the specialist chapters, but where this occurs, the variation is explained clearly and fully in the ES. 2.3 Structure of the ES The structure of the ES is as follows: Introductory chapters including the approach to the EIA, the project description, the main alternatives considered, consultation and planning policy (Chapters 1-4); Air Quality (Chapter 5); Ecology (Chapter 6); Landscape & Visual Assessment (Chapter 7);

21 12 Noise & Vibration (Chapter 8); Ground Conditions (Chapter 9); Traffic & Transportation (Chapter 10); Cultural Heritage & Archaeology (Chapter 11); Socio-Economics (Chapter 12); Flood Risk (Chapter 13); Surface Water Environment (Chapter 14); Environmental & Waste Management (Chapter 15); Cumulative Effects (Chapter 16); and Summary of Mitigation (Chapter 17) The following additional documentation has been submitted in respect of environmental effect of the proposed development with the application: Statement in respect of statutory nuisance; European site appropriate assessment report, otherwise known as a Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA); Details of other consents and licenses; and Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) and associated plans The CoCP is the document that brings together all the construction phase mitigation measures proposed for the proposed development. It covers the management of a Contractor s activities and those of any Sub-Contractors, and defines the minimum requirements that have to be met. It identifies the procedures required to minimise the impact of construction activities for the proposed development. It includes details of measures to be employed to ensure that no pollution incidents occur, that impacts on protected species / designated sites are minimised as far as possible, that archaeological features are identified and recorded, and that impacts on nearby residents are kept to an absolute minimum.

22 Cumulative and Combined Effects The effects of the proposed development have been assessed in combination with other developments in the vicinity of the Order Limits (i.e. cumulative effects ) Consideration has been given to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon Scheme and the proposed wind farm at Mynydd Brombil. Abernedd Power Station, Prenergy s Port Talbot Renewable Energy Plant (PTREP) and Biomass II have also been considered, but only in relation to Air Quality and interrelated Ecological effects and Landscape and Visual. The new Harbour Way development is now operational and therefore is considered as part of the baseline assessment Details of these developments have been provided in the ES, including the types of development, location and key aspects that may affect the proposed development and how these have been taken into account as part of the assessment The effects of the proposed development on shared receptors have also been assessed (i.e. combined effects ) Full details of the assessment are provided in Chapter 16 of the ES.

23 14 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3.1 Proposed Development The proposed development area has a red line boundary footprint of 22.9 ha denoted by the Order Limits. This comprises of several major components as well as ancillary buildings as follows: up to two steam boilers and their associated stacks (maximum 80m in height), annexe bay and boiler house; a turbine hall housing turbine sets and associated condensers; cooling tower unit; an electrical switchgear station building; a condensate storage tank and additional condensate polishing units; water treatment plant and chemical dosing system skids; administration, workshop, pump house, gas booster house, control buildings and ancillary infrastructure; the extension of existing pipe work connections (for water, nitrogen, process gases, natural gas and compressed air) from the existing on site utilities pipe work infrastructure to the generating station. All the extended pipe work will be contained within the Order Limits. The indicative location of these connections are shown in Figure 3.10; a 66kV electrical connection up to 2.8km in length to connect the generating station to the existing onsite substations on the south east of the site. For most of the route, the cables will either be run underground (either in new and existing ducting and excavations) or be supported off existing structures. There will potentially be a cable bridge constructed, due to restricted space to run cables underground, at the southern end of the electrical connection between the two onsite existing substations. If required, this cable bridge will be consistent with the other cable

24 15 bridges on site and be constructed of a metal lattice structure approximately 5m in height (to provide suitable clearance) and approximately 800m in length; modifications to the two existing onsite substations to accept the electrical connection including the installation of new 66kV bays at each substation; security infrastructure, including perimeter fencing and site lighting infrastructure; connections to the existing internal road layout for the provision of site vehicular access(es), roads, pedestrian network, parking and cycle storage; temporary construction compounds; and connection to site drainage systems Smaller standalone buildings and structures are also included within the proposed development project description. These include tanks, pump house for cooling water pumps for the cooling towers, booster house for process gases supply to the boilers, switch gear housing, electrical control room for cooling towers and for the power generation building. There is also a motor control centre building housing electrical drives, computer system and an operators control centre. 3.2 Site and Surroundings The Port Talbot Steelworks is located in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot. It is located approximately 1.5km to the south east of Port Talbot. The A48 lies just to the east of the site running parallel to the M4. The Port Talbot Docks Industrial Area adjoins the Port Talbot site to the north west as does Port Talbot Parkway station, where a branch line serves the steelworks and links Port Talbot with Llanwern in Newport. The site location is illustrated in Figure The proposed development will be located in the north of the Port Talbot site adjacent to existing power generation facilities. The proposed development will be separated from local communities by the new PDR (Harbour Way)

25 16 which is now operational. Harbour Way runs directly to the north of the main generating site with the existing Port Talbot works to the east, an internal railway line (owned by Network Rail) to the south and the existing power generation building to the west. The proposed development area is outlined in Figure 1.2 by the red line boundary with a grid reference of SS centered on the internal power generation enhancement works and SS on the existing onsite substation which denotes the end of the electrical connection An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is located directly to the north east and east of the proposed development. There are two Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest designations located to north east (partially within the blue line boundary) and to the south. These are shown on Figure Ecological designations comprise eleven Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), three Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), one Ramsar and two National Nature Reserves (NNR) within 10km of the site, designated for their habitats and plant assemblages. This is shown on Figure There are no archaeological designations, listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments or registered parks and gardens located within the Order Limits but some are located within close proximity of the proposed development and within the 15km study area. These are shown on Figure The site is wholly within the NPTCBC boundary as shown on Figure The vast majority of the red line boundary is located within the existing Port Talbot steel works site. A small sliver of the red line boundary is currently under ownership by Network Rail. The development will not affect the ongoing operations of the rail line The location of the main generation facilities within the proposed red line boundary was previously the location of onsite coke works but currently is open scrub land with a car park/concrete hard standing in the north west. The site is characterised by low-lying industrial land.

26 The electrical connection is predominantly within the internal highway verge, with one section routed under the existing internal railway track through new ducting. 3.3 Background & Justification for the Proposed Development The Port Talbot site has the ambition to increase production to 4.7 million tonnes of iron per annum. Once production increases to this level, and in the absence of the proposed development and/or any other energy efficiency improvements, the amount of process gas being flared would increase along with the need to import additional electricity from the Grid The existing power generation facilities contain equipment dating back to the 1950s and do not have sufficient capacity to convert the available process gases associated with the current and increased iron production Electrical Connection Where a new section of ducting is required, a trench will be excavated and the new cables installed to a maximum depth of 1.2m below ground level. The Order Limits denote a working corridor which is required to take account of local ground conditions and existing infrastructure, but will be much less in reality These works will be carried out by hand/machine to install plastic ducts which are then backfilled with sand and cable tiles placed on top Modifications to the two onsite existing substations (Grange and Cefn Gwrgan) will be required to accept the electrical connection. These modifications will include the installation of new 66kV bays at each substation and other required infrastructure. Phased Approach Scenarios Two scenarios are proposed and are being considered under the phased approach. These are known as Option 1 and Option 2. The proposed construction and operational phasing is outlined below. Option 1

27 Option 1 represents the full single installation of the proposed development and involves installation and construction of the boilers and their associated stacks, the turbine sets and the full installation of the electrical connection to the existing onsite substations Table 3.2 provides the maximum physical dimensions of Option 1. Table 3.2 Summary of Project Description Components for Single Phased Build Item Height of Stack/s Cooling Towers Turbine Hall Boiler House Electrical Connection Switchgear Station Building Maximum Dimensions Two stacks, both at 80m Up to 22m high x 160m long x 16m wide Up to 25m high x 55m long x 65m wide Up to 35m high (at apex) x 60m long x 65m wide 66kV cables, 2.8km in length to be run underground, off existing above ground infrastructure, on a cable bridge or a combination of the above. Up to 35m long x 55m Wide The construction phase will be 36 months with a commissioning phase lasting for a 6 month period and delivery routes will be via the M4 junction 38 and Harbour Way. The operational lifecycle will be 35 years The proposed decommissioning of the existing 4 boilers and 3 turbo alternators would be undertaken once the new equipment is in continuous reliable operation. Option This is an alternative scenario where the project components (boiler and turbine sets) are installed in two phases - (i.e. one boiler and one stack at a time with corresponding turbine sets). The first installation (Phase 1) would be after the DCO is consented and the second installation (Phase 2) at a later stage (which could be up to 10 years later) The project components for Option 2 are summarised in Table 3.3 below.

28 19 Table 3.3 Summary of Project Description Components for Option 2 Phased Build Item Phase 1 Phase 2 Height of Stacks One 80m stack One 80m stack Cooling Towers Units Turbine Hall Boiler House Up to 22m high x 80m long x 16m wide Up to 25m high x 55m long x -45m wide Up to 35m high (at apex) x 60m long x 45m wide Up to 22m high x to take structure to maximum length as in option 1 long (160m) x 16m wide Up to 25m high x 55m long x to take building to maximum width as in option 1 (65m) Up to 35m high (at apex) x 60m long to take building to maximum width as in option 1 (65m) Electrical Connection 66kV cables, 2.8km in length to be run underground, off existing above ground infrastructure, on a cable bridge or a combination of both to be installed wholly as part of the first installation Switchgear Station Up to 35m long x 55m Wide to be installed as part of first installation It is assumed the 35 years life cycle will start from the Phase More detail on the major components of the proposed development are provided below. Access All construction traffic will access the proposed development from the existing junction on Harbour Way and therefore no additional access is required to be constructed. Cooling Method Water will be required for the commissioning and operation of the proposed development. The proposed cooling method will be open circuit cooling towers (i.e. where water is used in the turbine condensers, cooled by the cooling towers and then recycled) The volumes required for operation of the proposed development will be significantly less than the present system but there will be an additional

29 20 requirement to abstract from the River Afan on top of the current abstraction requirements. The Applicant is aware that the River Afan has times of low flow and it is important to maintain the ecological balance and features, which rely on this steady water flow. Therefore the Applicant will utilise a hierarchy of abstraction in times of stress on the River Afan or at times of low flow in addition to an alert system with NRW, which would trigger the abstraction from alternative sources. These alternatives sources include the Port Talbot Dock and the Nant Ffrwdwyllt The cooling towers will be designed to address any potential visibility issues from the release of water vapour plumes. Fuel The primary fuel for the proposed development will be process gases generated through the steel-making process, with natural gas as a standby fuel. Emissions There will be waste combustion gases produced as part of the operation of the proposed development. Detailed dispersion modelling has been undertaken outlining the emissions for a variety of stack heights at 10m intervals from 80m to 120m. There will be up to two stacks (one for each boiler unit) Water discharges into Swansea Bay will be required during the commissioning, operational and decommissioning phases (primarily the boilers and cooling towers). Existing discharges into the Port Talbot Dock will still be required during commissioning but will be significantly reduced during operation. The quality and volumes of these discharges will be strictly controlled as part of the Environmental Permit for the proposed development All surface water drainage will be routed to existing onsite drainage systems through connection to existing utility points within the red line boundary. Noise

30 Any construction noise will be mitigated by good practice construction activities. Operational noise will be adequately mitigated using building design. Waste Any waste generated as a result of construction and operational phases will either be recycled or deposited within the onsite waste management area/landfill. Lighting Security lighting will be implemented on the Order Limits and aviation red lighting installed on the stack(s) if the stack(s) are over 80m in height. Appearance It is proposed to use Goosewing Grey finish. This is consistent with the other operational buildings within the Port Talbot site. 3.4 Construction Phase The construction phase will last approximately 36 months from commencement of works for Option 1 and for Option 2 construction will be over two phases. Phase 1 will be 36 months as per Option 1 and Phase 2 will be 24 months Construction for Option 1 will include a series of phases including enabling works and ground preparation works, building structures, delivery and installation of the main generation plant and equipment and 66kV cable, infrastructure and piping connections and then finally commissioning and start up. For Option 2, Phase 1 all ground preparation works will be undertaken, as will the construction of the 66kV cable and around half of the main power generation building and equipment. There will be a commissioning and start up phase for the interim operational phase between construction phases 1 and 2. Phase 2 of Option 2 will involve installing the second half of the main power generation building and equipment. There will also be a commissioning and start up phase for this additional equipment.

31 It has been agreed with NRW that a full ground investigation will be undertaken post-dco consent but prior to the commencement of the construction It is recognised that enabling and ground preparation works will include piling to the appropriate depth. The buildings are likely to be of steel frame. Further details will be available as part of the detailed design and in line with cladding and building regulations Temporary construction buildings and laydown areas will be required. These will be located within the red line boundary and consist of offices, car park, storage areas and welfare facilities for workers All construction access will be via the new junction off Harbour Way. No additional access is required to be constructed. A detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be developed in conjunction with NPTCBC to identify traffic routes to the proposed development The outline CoCP will also be developed into a full CoCP in conjunction with NRW and NPTCBC to agree a series of control measures which will be adhered to during construction to manage the production of dust, noise, surface water runoff and pollution control Construction working hours will be 07:00 19:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 13:00 Saturday Approximately 500 temporary jobs will be created at different stages of the proposed development construction phase. Approximately 300 jobs will be required at the peak of construction activities Security lighting will be required on the boundary of the proposed development, especially on the temporary compounds and storage areas. This lighting will have due regard to nearby residential properties and also users of Harbour Way Commissioning will take approximately six months and overlap the later part of the construction phase. The existing power generation facilities will be in operation during the construction phase, and once the new equipment is in reliable operation, the older equipment will be decommissioned.

32 Operational Phase The indicative operational lifespan of the proposed development is 35 years. The proposed development will have continuous operation throughout its lifecycle except for planned maintenance There will be no net change in staff numbers as a result of the proposed development becoming operational. The existing staff will transfer from the existing facility to the proposed development. Therefore as the same number of staff will be employed, there is no increase in traffic generation. Operational traffic is therefore limited to staff travel and delivery of ancillary materials and plant during the proposed development lifespan. 3.6 Decommissioning of the Proposed Development For the purposes of the EIA, it is assumed that decommissioning may occur after an indicative 35 year operational lifespan. The implications of decommissioning will be reviewed once it is evident the plant is approaching the end of its working life and covered by a Site Closure Plan as required by the Environmental Permit. 3.7 Alternatives The EIA Regulations require that an ES includes an outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made, taking into account the environmental effects A range of energy efficiency projects are ongoing at the Port Talbot site to enhance the productivity of the site with an overall aim of ensuring its long term sustainability and cost effectiveness. One of these elements is energy efficiency. As such, a range of alternatives to the proposed development have been considered in order to establish which option will best aid Tata Steel in achieving its overall aims. These are explained in Chapter 3 of the ES and outlined below. Do Nothing Scenario If the Applicant were to do nothing, a number of existing boilers and electricity generators would eventually reach a position of uneconomical

33 24 repair with a resulting drop in electrical generation capacity and an increase in process gas glare. This would then further increase the onside electricity imports from the grid, resulting in a significant cost penalty to the business. Alternative Scenario The alternative scenario would be to import electricity from the grid to support steel making activities at the site, which would be an expensive and uneconomical exercise. This would increase the cost of steel making at Port Talbot and would adversely impact on its market competitiveness. Alternative Locations for the Proposed Development Three possible locations for the proposed development were identified at the Port Talbot site and were reviewed against set criteria. The following locations were considered: A. Old Margam Coke Oven Site (adjacent to existing power generation buildings) B. North Side of PDR Dock site C. Old A strand sinter plant site The chosen development site (Location A) is most suitable because it falls within Tata Steel s land ownership, is adjacent to the existing power generation building (making integration easier), is easier to isolate and ring fence during construction and operation, has good access for construction, and offers flexibility in terms of foot print. Alternative Technology The Applicant has also considered alternative technologies with respect to the proposed development to ascertain what technology would best generate power from the available process gases at the Port Talbot site. These included: Boiler Turbo Alternator (BTA) Units; and Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT).