Burning desire to win power plant business

Power giant RWE intends to build a new plant with 1,600-2,200MW capacity by 20122013 at either Rotterdam Maasvlakte or Eemshaven at the northern port of Groningen if planning approval can be secured.

E. on is also seeking a site and has one eye on Eemshaven but has not ruled out expanding its Maasvlakte plant where coal imports are delivered via stevedore EMO. “Studies show that the country could need four or five more power plants in the next ten years as demand goes up, ” says Rotterdam port authority spokesman, Leo Locker.

“We expect there will be several and all the power companies want a sea location. ” EMO”s Paul Goris adds: “RWE, Electrabel, and E. on are all looking for new sites and around 2011 is when they”re looking to be up and running. ” Amsterdam has not ruled itself out of the bidding, but is disadvantaged by its heavily populated location leaving Groningen the most likely alternative to Rotterdam. “A number of power stations are looking to build here and we expect a decision in the next three years, ” says Groningen port spokeswoman, Marjolein Zwerver.

“If it happens, the transport ministry has already agreed to deepen the port access so we can receive the largest coal carriers. “