An Ipsos MORI survey organised by energy company E.ON has shown that a majority of people who live near the Kingsnorth site are in favour of a new cleaner coal-fired power station at the site.

The survey showed that 57% of the local population were in favour of E.ON's plans for a 1,600MW development that would be 20% more efficient than the existing station.

Alan Sanderson, Plant Manager at Kingsnorth, said: "This is the first time that the people who live and work around the station have had the chance to have their voices heard and they've come out firmly in favour of our proposed development.


"Clearly we as a company are also very concerned about climate change which is one of the reasons why we're closing the existing Kingsnorth plant by the end of 2015 and planning to build a much more efficient station.

"It's certainly gratifying that local people believe in our plans."

The new power station would operate at a level of efficiency unseen in the UK in a coal-fired power station before. It has also been shortlisted for the Government's carbon capture and storage competition, which could eventually see 90% of its emissions captured and stored underground.

(CD/JM)