Langage Power Plant is officially opened

The Alstom-built 900 MW combined cycle power plant at Langage in Devon, was officially inaugurated by government energy minister Charles Hendry on 21st March.

The power plant, in operation for a year for customer Centrica, was a landmark project for Alstom both in terms of design, but also for being the first gas-fired power plant project to be built in the UK for several years the first of four subsequent gas projects won by Alstom in the country.

Langage was built to strict environmental standards and is considerably smaller in size, height and area than similar plants. Environmental requirements for the plant mean that it achieves a very low level of NOx and CO₂ emissions. It was designed to blend in with its surroundings and its low-profile design is remarkable for its inobtrusiveness.

Langage is situated in a region of the UK where there is little other power generation capacity so the new plant has reduced the need to import power from elsewhere in the UK. It produces electricity for one million homes across the South West of England.

At the ceremony, Centrica's energy managing director Mark Hanafin thanked Alstom for delivering such a successful project, and guests toured the power plant admiring the striking architecture.

The GT26-based gas-fired plant secured its Provisional Acceptance Certificate in March 2010 and has since completed 150-day periods of operation, reaching an over 95% level of reliability.