RWE npower who we are

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1 RWE npower who we are RWE npower who we are RWE npower, part of the RWE Group, is a leading UK energy company. RWE npower is committed to conducting its business with a sense of responsibility for the environment, its customers and for the communities in which it operates. RWE npower s retail business, npower, is the UK s largest electricity supplier, with around 6.8 million residential and business energy customers. RWE npower also owns and operates a diverse portfolio of coal, oil and gas-fired power stations in the UK and has the capacity to generate over 9,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for around nine million homes. RWE npower manages almost 2,000 megawatts of cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant. Used at major industrial sites and by other large consumers of energy, cogeneration schemes generate electricity and provide heat to nearby industrial facilities which would otherwise have to generate by other means, using more primary energy resource. In 2006 alone it is estimated that RWE npower s cogeneration saved 1.5 million tonnes of CO 2, compared to conventional generation. renewable power generation to maintain secure, sustainable and affordable electricity supply into the future. RWE npower intends to be a good neighbour in the construction and operation of the power station and is fully committed to corporate responsibility. This means considering the social and environmental aspects of its operations, working with the community to maximise positive effects and minimise any negative impacts. Responsible business practices are integral to everything RWE npower does, from purchasing fuel to servicing customers. npower renewables is one of the UK's leading renewable energy companies, dedicated to generating electricity using sustainable, environmentally-friendly resources. It has a wide-ranging portfolio that includes more than 460 megawatts of onshore and offshore wind farms and hydroelectric plants. In addition, through the npower Juice Fund, the company is involved in research to harness the power of waves and tides another source of clean, sustainable electricity generation. As demand for electricity increases in the UK and existing generating plants are retired, RWE npower is committed to investing in new gas, coal and

2 RWE npower A history at Staythorpe RWE npower, and its predecessor National Power, has been involved in generating power at Staythorpe for over half a century. In fact, several generations of Staythorpe employees and their families still live in the local area. Over the years RWE npower has delivered significant investment into the local economy and provided support for many community projects. We intend to continue working with the local community and are committed to being a good neighbour. RWE npower A history in Staythorpe The first power station was built at Staythorpe immediately after the Second World War and used six 60 megawatt turbines to achieve the required 360MW output. However, demand for electricity was growing fast. More power stations were needed to ensure continuity of supply to homes and industrial users and the second Staythorpe power station opened in At the time of its opening, the second power station was one of the most modern and efficient coal-fired power stations anywhere in the country, far outstripping its sister station. Whereas the first station used six 60 megawatt turbines to achieve the required 360MW output, the second station could produce the same power with just three turbines. In 1961 a sculpture, Power in Trust, was commissioned and stood as a focal point between the two power stations at Staythorpe reflecting a power-generating turbine cradled in a hand of boiler tubes. Whilst the two stations have since been demolished, the sculpture lives on and is set to become an integral part of the new scheme. In 1993, following full public consultation and a public inquiry, planning approval was granted for a gas fired power station at Staythorpe. Construction began in 1998 but was put on hold two years later, as there was already sufficient generating capacity in the UK at that time. However, closure of ageing plants and environmental regulation mean that the UK once again requires significant new generating capacity. Therefore, in May 2007 RWE npower announced its plans to build a 600m state-of-the-art Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station at Staythorpe. RWE npower s plans for a new 1650MW CCGT at Staythorpe mean that it will once again play a crucial role in UK power generation and the economic success of the area, well into the 21st century. By the 1970s, the first power station was showing its age; overtaken by a new generation of more powerful and efficient coal and oil-fired stations and it was decommissioned during the 1970s. The second station was demolished in the 1990s. The original Staythorpe (1960 s)

3 A new power station why we need to build it European Legislation (Large Combustion Plant Directive) means that many existing coal and oil plants are required to close by the end of In addition, the majority of nuclear plants will close by 2020 as they reach the end of their operational lives. Despite efforts to improve energy efficiency, we expect that demand for electricity will continue to increase in this period and as a result it is estimated that the UK will require around 30 gigawatts of new capacity, nearly 50% of the total existing capacity, by This clearly creates a need for a sustained period of investment, starting now, if we are to keep the lights on in the future. At the same time as developing new, efficient power stations, RWE npower continues to invest heavily in renewable generation. As one of the largest developers and operators of renewables, npower believes it can meet current UK targets of supplying 20 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources by Why we need to build it As set out in the Government s recent Energy White Paper, the nation needs a diverse mix of generation to maintain a secure, sustainable and affordable electricity supply for years to come. However, the first phase of new capacity at this scale can only be delivered by gas-fired power stations. Coal, nuclear and wind generation are constrained by the availability of sites, the requirement for planning approval and in the case of wind, scale. The new state-of-the-art power station at Staythorpe will make a significant contribution to ongoing energy supply while helping to cut Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. With established gas and electrical network connections and a substantial amount of civil work already done, Staythorpe provides the ideal location. The new power station will have a total generating capacity of 1650 megawatts and will produce enough electricity to power around two million homes.

4 A new station - what we will build RWE npower has unveiled plans for a new state-of-the-art 1650MW Combined Cycle Gas turbine (CCGT) power station at Staythorpe. The new station will cost over 600 million to build and will be operational by Staythorpe will be a compact industrial facility located on a brownfield site that housed the two previous coal stations. The power station will comprise four generating units, each around 400MW, with the combined ability to generate power for almost two million homes, or in other words, the whole of Nottinghamshire. The new power station highlights RWE npower s long-term commitment to supporting Staythorpe and the surrounding areas and the new station will bring a number of long-term benefits. These include 80 permanent jobs at the station and lasting investment in the local economy. In total, the new power station will bring around 10 million into the local economy every year. The new gas fired power station will be a stateof-the-art facility that is clean, quiet, efficient and a significant improvement on the power stations of the 1950s and 60s. Generating electricity from gas is more efficient than generating electricity from coal. Gas also contains less carbon than coal. These two factors result in gas-fired generation emitting around half the CO 2 emissions when compared to coal. Gas also contains only trace amounts of sulphur so there will be virtually no sulphur dioxide emitted from Staythorpe. A new station - what we will build RWE npower received planning consent for Staythorpe in 1993 and began construction in Construction was put on hold in 2000 as UK Generators had developed enough power stations to fulfil the electricity demand at the time. The original consent remains valid today, but we are working closely with the local authorities to ensure that the latest, cleanest technology can be employed.

5 What the new power station will look like What the new power station will look like The new gas fired power station at Staythorpe will generate four times as much electricity as the previous coal-fired power stations, equivalent to supplying all the homes in Nottinghamshire. However, modern CCGT's are compact facilities compared to old coal fired stations and RWE npower is committed to limiting the visual impact of the new Staythorpe. RWE npower has chosen the colours carefully, opting for goose wing grey to ensure it blends in with the skyline. RWE npower has to design the power station so it is built within the existing site, in a position to minimise any visual impact. This is supported by landscaping and significant planting of trees and shrubbery. The power station island is surrounded by mature trees, in fact during initial works in 2000, 50,000 new trees were planted.

6 How the new power station will affect the local community The new power station at Staythorpe will significantly benefit the local community by providing jobs and continuing investment in the local economy. Every effort will also be taken to minimise any disruption caused by construction and eventual operation of the power station. The local community RWE npower has a long-term commitment to Staythorpe and the surrounding area. Through links with local authorities, conservation groups, schools and colleges, the new power station will play an active role in the neighbouring community. The power station will also provide significant benefits by providing long-term employment as well as contributing to the local economy. Advanced Apprenticeship programme, a four-year training scheme in disciplines relevant to the power industry. Staythorpe will also fund, sponsor and support local educational and environmental initiatives. As part of the initial development, RWE npower contributed to a number of community schemes, including the funding of a school extension and playground equipment, along with providing numerous smaller contributions to local societies and parish organisations. RWE npower constantly evaluates and measures its investments to ensure its community partners are continually benefiting. It is committed to developing long-term relationships with community partners focusing on three key themes of education, environment and health. In 2006, over 20,000 students learned about energy and power through the interactive Power Day events that take place in local schools around RWE npower s operating sites. It also provides students and teachers with opportunities to increase their awareness of the World of Work through work placements and free Power Pack resources. In addition, RWE npower has attracted young people into the industry through the

7 How the new station could affect the environment RWE npower is committed to limiting the impact of any new development on the environment. The new gas-fired power station will be designed using state-of-the-art equipment and will emit less than half the carbon dioxide, per unit of electricity, than the previous coal-fired stations at Staythorpe. Modern gas-fired power stations are compact and clean industrial facilities. During construction and operation RWE npower will closely monitor all environmental impacts from the power station. The local environmental impact at Staythorpe is minimised by the characteristics of the new power station: Gas is brought direct to the site by an existing pipeline, so there is no requirement for transport of the main fuel to site As the power station burns gas, there is no residue from the combustion process and no by-products requiring disposal Natural gas contains almost no sulphur and combustion is controlled to ensure negligible impact on local air quality The new power station will also help to significantly reduce the impact on the wider environment. Modern gas fired power stations are compact and clean industrial facilities, and before we can begin generation, we will require a permit from the Environment Agency. Therefore, the new state-of-the-art CCGT power station will be far more environmentally friendly than its predecessor, producing less than half the CO 2 per unit than an existing coal station. The environment RWE npower will make every effort to cause as little disruption to the local environment and wildlife as possible, with important habitats and species being retained or relocated and re-established. In depth studies into how the new power station might affect local wildlife have already been carried out, ensuring the sites biodiversity is protected. RWE npower is firmly committed to the environment and at existing power stations has set up Energy and Environment Centres as a resource for schools, researchers and other interest groups to explore the surrounding habitat and learn more about energy generation.

8 Economic benefits A new power station is a major, long-term investment by RWE npower in the area. The new power station will create up to 80 permanent jobs, ranging from skilled operating and maintenance staff to professional engineering, environmental, management and security staff. The new power station will cost over 600 million to construct and will continue to provide more than 10 million of investment into the local economy every year, due to employment and expenditure with local businesses and services. This will help to provide a solid basis for the continued economic success of the area. Economic benefits

9 Managing construction traffic Construction of a new power station is a major project, and while every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, RWE npower recognises that construction traffic is likely to be a concern locally. RWE npower is carrying out studies, which will be used to reduce the impact of construction traffic and are currently developing a plan. This includes: Exploring the use of the River Trent where possible, and routing traffic to avoid problem areas Looking at on site construction techniques that reduce construction traffic Informing local residents of the timings of key deliveries Use of suitable routes for construction lorries that have been agreed with the local planning authority Significant civil works including preparation for foundations and installation of permanent site access and perimeter roads Substantial landscaping including the planting of over 50,000 trees which have now matured These advanced works will reduce the construction programme and ensure that Staythorpe can deliver the generating capacity urgently required in the UK. RWE npower is committed to managing the construction phase of Staythorpe in a responsible way. Where there may be an impact, we will work closely with the community to mitigate effects. RWE npower is committed to keeping the community updated regularly. RWE npower will shortly be entering a detailed design phase with its contractor and is working with the local planning authority and stakeholders to secure the best possible scheme for Staythorpe. RWE npower plan to be on site this autumn (2007) with full construction underway by the start of One of the key advantages of Staythorpe is that extensive works have already been carried out on site, including: Completion of a dedicated 40km underground pipeline bringing gas direct to the site Managing construction traffic