Two new power stations have been given the go ahead by ministers, which will see a combination of biomass, energy from waste and turbine power plants constructed.

It is estimated the plants will deliver energy to 2m homes in the area.

The consented plants are:

·        Ferrybridge – a 108 MW Multifuel (biomass and energy from waste) power plant in Wakefield, Yorkshire, representing an investment of £250m by SSE Generation. It is expected around 350 jobs will be created during construction; and

·        Thorpe Marsh – a 1,500 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power plant in North Doncaster, Yorkshire, representing an investment of £984m by Acorn Power Developments. It expected that up to 800 jobs will be created during construction.

Charles Hendry, minister of state for energy, said: “The energy industry can be a real driver of growth across the country. Some £200bn of investment is needed in the energy industry over the coming decade, representing remarkable opportunities for companies in the UK.