Fears over blaze disaster at Port Talbot's proposed Prenergy power station
FEARS have been voiced of the threat of a catastrophic fire at Port Talbot's proposed Prenergy power station.
The controversial £400 million development for the town's docks area was approved nearly five years ago but building work has yet to start.
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PT-Raps protesters against the prenergy plan including Jeremy Bailey (front left) outside Port Talbot Civic Centre
That approval specified only wood chip could be burnt there.
But Prenergy has since applied to Neath Port Talbot Council to change this to include wood pellets, said to be easier to transport, as well.
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Sandfields councillor Ted Latham pointed out there had been 70 fires in wood pellet stores around the world in the past five years.
He referred to one in Essex earlier this year, involving 4,000 tonnes of wood pellets.
"It took 120 firefighters a full day to get that fire under control and it burned for four days. That was only 4,000 tonnes," he said.
"We were given the dimensions of the Prenergy storage shed as being the size of four football pitches and the height of three double-decker buses, storing 120,000 tonnes of wood chip.
"It would be 30 times bigger than what ignited at the fire in Essex."
Mr Latham quoted research from the Biomass Centre that pellets could, if damaged, disintegrate into fine dust which would have the potential for an "explosive mix".
He also pointed out there were very different storage requirements for chips and pellets.
His comments were endorsed by Sandfields member Lella James. "I'm absolutely terrified of fire," she said. "My ward is 250 yards from this site and I'm very, very worried about fire.
"I have grave misgivings about wood chip, but I have even greater misgivings about wood pellets because of the combustion aspect."
Planning committee members heard yesterday that a condition relating to the storage of material, including fire suppression measures, had been approved on appeal.
But, they were assured, the company would still be required to come up with full details of fire control measures under separate legislation.
Officers had recommended the change of fuel type should be allowed.
But Councillor Rob Jones said he was very concerned that the condition that was previously allowed on appeal had only related to wood chip and questioned whether that was still valid.
After an 80-minute debate, it was decided to defer the application for further information.
The matter will be brought back before the planning committee for decision at a later date.
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514694
Comments
by Neathboy234
Thursday, September 13 2012, 4:37PM
“well said both Philosoraptor and daveawills”
by daveawills
Thursday, September 13 2012, 4:18PM
“sorry last sentence should have set fire to the hills between baglan and cwmavon”
by daveawills
Thursday, September 13 2012, 4:16PM
“it makes me wonder who wood(get it) donate money against a business that has not even started and that is gaining employment for people that really need a job.these 'protesters' have nothing better to do than look after their own interests.why dont they stand as a group when we get warm weather and protest against the idiots who continually set the hills from baglan to cwmavon(now thats a danger to human life)”
by Philosoraptor
Thursday, September 13 2012, 2:32PM
“"Sandfields councillor Ted Latham pointed out there had been 70 fires in wood pellet stores around the world in the past five years."
So, across the entire planet... only seventy in the last five years?
How many house fires have this world experienced in the last five years and has this led to people blocking all future house building? This is yet another case of NIMBY!”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, September 13 2012, 7:21AM
“Well for a start they would have to be a minimum of 85 to have fought in the war. I don't see anyone in this pic around that age. My own father who is in his early 90's fought in the war himself. I am of course grateful for anyone who fought fascism, i detest racism in all it forms. I am also grateful to these people as without them we would not have the United Europe that we have today. Something that many chose to forget is that it is the EU that has given us peace in our times”
by bluenorw
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 9:20PM
“Problem is, we all want the lights to stay on, so someone, somewhere, has to have a power station or a wind farm in their back yard. Personally, I'd be a lot happier living near a wood burning station than a nuclear site or large wind farm. There is a strong case for locating power stations in the industrial belt between Margam and Briton Ferry as the National Grid infrastructure is present to connect them without the building of more pylon lines. Given the UK's strict Health and Safety laws, it should not be beyond the wit of the local authority to insist on a sufficiently high standard of fire prevention at the storage facility - and wood chip / pellets constitute a renewable energy source. If global warming continues, the coastal belt between Swansea and Porthcawl could be especially vulnerable, so perhaps this is the lesser of two evils.”
by Kaiser_Macsen
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:49PM
“Yes, Neathboy.
Many fought for your right to voice an opinion so, shut up. lol”
by taffydaffy
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:51PM
“Just remember these older people fought a War for the likes of you and good on them that they have the balls big enough to protest and fight for us all if it was being built in Neath you would have enough to say”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:30PM
“Just looking at this group, has anyone else noticed how old many of them are. well over half would seem to be in their 70's or more. They say that old people do not like change, and this picture goes to prove it.
PS don't worry about fire, your more likely to be killed in the kitchen than anywhere else. For those terrified perhaps a little counselling might help.”