New Spanish grid connection for ESBI

ESB International (ESBI) has passed two important milestones in the development of its power plant project in Asturias on the northwest coast of Spain, approximately 500km from Madrid.

The Spanish electricity system operator REE formally approved a grid connection for the project and the project has also successfully completed the public consultation phase of its environmental impact assessment. ESBI began the permitting and environmental impact assessment process for the 860MW combined-cycle gasturbine plant earlier in 2007. The planning process is due to be finalised this year with construction of the plant to start in 2009.

ESBI project manager Larry Staines said, "The completion of these two key milestones is a great boost for the local Spanish team and they increase the project's credibility in the Spanish market. The next challenge is to finalise the permits and to secure a financial commercial solution for the project."

ESBI Spain manager, Philip Clarke added, "The project follows on from ESBI's successful completion of a similar type CCGT plant in Amorebieta near Bilbao, which was the first independent power plant in Spain and has been in commercial operation since August 2005. We see this new project in Asturias as another excellent growth opportunity that allows ESBI to further invest in this large and important market".