Power plant offers jobs lifeline at Anglesey Aluminium

THE FIGHT to save 540 jobs at Anglesey Aluminium starts in earnest today after details of a new ?600m power plant were revealed. Bosses want to build two massive woodburning furnaces to secure the future of the metal smelter for the next 20 years, and create an extra 100 long term jobs from 2013. If the government approves plans set to be lodged in July, building the new 300 mega watt (MW) biomass electricity plant, expected to take two years, will create 600 construction jobs. But 460 workers at the existing metal smelter still face losing their jobs this September. Bosses say if they can’t secure a deal for a cheap supply with the National Grid to keep production going until the new furnaces are up and running, they’ll be forced to "mothball" the smelter. That would mean laying off 460 workers and keeping on just 80 staff to maintain the smelter in working order until the plant is able to produce its own energy. Anglesey Aluminium went public with ambitious plans at Holyhead Town Hall yesterday. They revealed discussions with consultants Newcastle based PB power, who specialise in building biomass furnaces, have been positive. Anglesey Aluminium Managing director David Bloor, said: "This project would not have been available five or 10 years ago. The technology is new, it’s leading edge and there are no other biomass plants of this size in the UK. "The planning application will be going to the Department of Energy who will be consulting with statutory bodies including Anglesey County Council. Anglesey Aluminium have been locked in discussions with the Government, the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) and electricity suppliers to find a new cut price deal for the smelter’s electricity after their current deal ends on September 30. If a new contract can’t be found 460 workers will lose their jobs with a devastating effect on the local economy. Mr Bloor added:"We could keep the smelters going if we had the right power contract but there’s no sign of that. "We’ve been discussing the contract for three years, the stumbling blocks are the same, legal and commercial issues, none of that has changed. "Both a cut price energy deal and the biomass plant could co-exist which is why we are willing to discuss a deal right up to September 30." The best case scenario is if the Department of Energy approves the plans within about eight months, meaning building work could start late next spring. But the decision could take up to two years, pushing back the start of the project to summer 2011. But if the Department of Energy refuses the plans, the worst case scenario could mean a further, lengthy public inquiry. Richard Wearmouth of PB power, said: "The fastest we’ve experienced the application process is eight months and the slowest is about two years. "We’re looking to get this through as soon as possible, if it gets turned down there’s an automatic public inquiry." Workers at the smelter welcome the proposal but fear it’s too late to save their jobs, one said: "I know it’s unlikely that I’m going to be one of the 80 keeping our jobs. "I support this project but I might have been out of work for four years by the time it comes on-line and there’s no guarantee that I'd get my old job back. Holyhead Town Council discussed the proposal on Monday night and backed the scheme. Holyhead Town Councillor, Cllr Jeff Evans who worked at Anglesey Aluminium in the 1980s said: "It’s a pity they did not build this 15/20 years ago as we would not have reached this situation." A spokesman for Anglesey County Council, said: "We would act as one of a number of consultees and will have to consider the application in line with its own planning policies. The spokesman added that renewable energy plant could fit in with their "Energy Island" strategy.