A MODERN gas-fired power station capable of supplying a million homes is planned for the Isle of Grain, alongside the existing oil fired plant.

E.ON UK – the company which owns Powergen – said the new station would make use of new technology to reduce emissions. Its construction would also create jobs for construction workers in the Medway Towns.

The company’s original plan was to convert its oil-fired power station for gas. The revised scheme would mean retaining the oil-fired station for use in emergencies or when demand is unusually high.

But the proposal has received mixed reaction locally. Peninsular ward councillor Janice Bamber said: "I can’t see that the new power station would create much employment in the long term.

"All the extra traffic generated would cause a lot of heartache for people who live in the area and have to travel on the A228."

Her husband and fellow councillor Ken Bamber said he could not see the point of retaining the oil- fired station.

He said: "Apart from the miners strike, it has never been fully used. Oil is an expensive fuel source and it’s very inefficient to run."

Another peninsular councillor, Phil Filmer, said it would make sense if the new station was run on liquified petroleum gas imported through the new facility at Grain.

A spokesman for E.ON said this was an option, but even if other supplies were used they would be brought in by pipeline, so there would be no impact on the roads.

Cllr Filmer added: "If it was a development such as a waste incinerator, I think people on Grain would be pretty upset. But as it’s a power station, and there is already one here, I can’t see there will be much objection."

The company has applied for DTI consent for the new project and has been consulting with Medway Council and other local organisations.