What happens next
A decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant was taken on 16 February 2022 and has now been issued.
The period for legal challenge is defined in s118 of the Planning Act 2008. Further information about legal challenge can be found in the letter sent to all Interested Parties accompanying the Secretary of State’s decision and statement of reasons.
If you have any queries about the process please email the Planning Inspectorate at [email protected] or telephone the helpline on 0303 444 5000.
Timeline (60 items)

A Decision Letter (PDF, 153 KB) and Amendment Order have been issued by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero to make a change that is not material to the Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Development Consent Order 2022 (PDF, 78 KB)

Representations received in response to the consultation for a non-material change to the Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Development Consent Order have been published. HSE have until 27 January 2023 to respond.

An application for a non-material change to the Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Development Consent Order has been made by Thurrock Power Ltd.
If you wish to make a representation, this should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to:
National Infrastructure
The Planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6PN
The deadline for receipt of representations is 11:59pm on Friday 25 November 2022

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has today issued a letter (PDF, 141 KB) confirming those parties that the Applicant should consult regarding a proposed non-material change application relating to the Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Order 2022.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has today granted development consent for the project: Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant.
Secretary of State’s Decision Letter (PDF, 467 KB)
Planning Inspectorate Notification of Decision Cover Letter (PDF, 147 KB)
Development Consent Order as Made (PDF, 1 MB)
Examining Authority’s Recommendation Report (PDF, 4 MB)
Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF, 607 KB)
Regulation 31 Notice (PDF, 136 KB)
Post Examination Submissions (PDF, 3 MB)


The Secretary of State (SoS) has received responses to his consultation letter of 21 December 2021(PDF,195KB) and subsequent letter to the Applicant of 23 December 2021(PDF,136KB). The SoS is currently reviewing these responses.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (SoSBEIS) has requested information (PDF, 195 KB) from the Applicant, Port of Tilbury London Limited, RWE Generation (UK) plc and all other Interested Parties. The SoS BEIS has also requested further additional information from the Applicant (PDF, 136KB).
The deadline for responses to this consultation is 11.59pm on 12 January 2022.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has requested information (PDF, 195 KB) from the Applicant, Port of Tilbury London Limited, RWE Generation (UK) plc and all other Interested Parties.
The deadline for responses to this consultation is 11.59pm on 12 January 2022.


The Deadline 8 submissions have now been published.
The Examining Authority has issued a Notification to confirm the completion of the Examination.
The Examination closed at 23:59 on Monday 16 August 2021.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has published their Schedule of Proposed Amendments to the Applicant’s draft Development Consent Order (PDF). Comments on this are invited by deadline 7, Monday 9 August 2021.
The ExA has also issued a Rule 17 letter, requesting further information (PDF, 138 KB) from the Applicant. This information is requested by deadline 7, Monday 9 August 2021.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has issued a Rule 17 letter, requesting further information (PDF, 138 KB) from the Applicant. This information is requested by deadline 7, Monday 9 August 2021. Interested Parties are invited to comment on the supplied information by deadline 8, Friday 13 August.

The time reserved on Wednesday 28 July 2021 in case of technical issues for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) will no longer be required. It has therefore been cancelled.
The recordings for CAH2 and ISH4 have now been published.

The agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 4 into the draft DCO (PDF, 140KB) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 135 KB) taking place on 26 July 2021 have been published.
These hearings are not being live streamed but recordings will be published as soon as possible afterwards.

Deadline 6 submissions have now been published.
The Examining Authority has published the Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES) (PDF, 445KB).
The agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 4 into the draft DCO (PDF, 140KB) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 135 KB) taking place on 26 July 2021 have also been published. Confirmation of attendance is requested by emailing the Case Team ([email protected]) by Wednesday 21 July 2021. Joining instructions will then be sent to attendees.
These hearings are not being live streamed but recordings will be published as soon as possible afterwards.
The ExA did not receive any requests to be heard at an Open Floor Hearing by the specified deadline. Therefore the time reserved for an Open Floor Hearing on 27 and 29 July 2021 has been cancelled as it is not required.

The Examining Authority has published the Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES) (PDF, 445KB).
The agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 4 into the draft DCO (PDF, 140KB) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 135 KB) taking place on 26 July 2021 have also been published. Confirmation of attendance is requested by emailing the Case Team ([email protected]) by Wednesday 21 July 2021. Joining instructions will then be sent to attendees.
These hearings are not being live streamed but recordings will be published as soon as possible afterwards.
The ExA did not receive any requests to be heard at an Open Floor Hearing by the specified deadline. Therefore the time reserved for an Open Floor Hearing on 27 and 29 July 2021 has been cancelled as it is not required.

The Examining Authority has issued a third round of written questions (ExQ3) (PDF, 181KB). The deadline for response is Deadline 6 , Tuesday 20 July 2021.

Submissions for Deadline 5 have been received and published.
Deadline 5A is Friday 2 July 2021. You can check what information is requested at Deadline 5A in the Exam Timetable.

The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 330KB) to make changes to the Examination timetable and provide notification of hearings to take place the week commencing 26 July 2021.
The Relevant Representations in regard to the Applicant’s request for changes to their draft DCO have now been published.

The relevant representation period to make comments on the Applicant’s proposed material changes to their draft DCO have now closed and will be published shortly.
The ExA is planning to issue a revised Examination timetable on Wednesday 9 June 2021. As a result, the time reserved for Hearings and Accompanied Site Inspections during the week commencing 5 July 2021 will no longer be required and have therefore been cancelled.
The Examining Authority second round of written questions (ExQ2) (PDF, 198KB) have been issued. The deadline for response is deadline 5, Monday 14 June 2021.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has issued a letter (PDF, 98kb) regarding the Applicant’s alternative proposals for site inspection.
Comments are currently being invited on the Applicant’s proposed changes to their draft DCO, which have been accepted into the Examination, by 11:59pm on Saturday 5 June 2021. Please note that comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s request for changes (PDF, 180KB) only. Submissions that don’t meet these requirements, or are made after the deadline will be disregarded.
Registration and Relevant Representation Form
The Applicant is consulting separately on the additional environmental information (PDF, 2MB). Final copies will be submitted following the consultation and opportunities will be made available in the Examination for IPs to comment on this additional submission.

Registration and Relevant Representation Form
Submissions for Deadline 4 have been received and published.
Comments are currently being invited on the Applicant’s proposed changes to their draft DCO, which have been accepted into the Examination, by 11:59pm on Saturday 5 June 2021. Please note that comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s request for changes (PDF, 180KB) only. Submissions that don’t meet these requirements, or are made after the deadline will be disregarded.
The Applicant is consulting separately on the additional environmental information (PDF, 2MB). Final copies will be submitted following the consultation and opportunities will be made available in the Examination for IPs to comment on this additional submission.

Registration and Relevant Representation Form
The recordings for last week’s Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH) and Issue Specific Hearings have been published. Technical issues affect the recording of the first 8 minutes (approximate) of the CAH, and the sound for the first 34 seconds of the recording of CAH. We apologise for this unavoidable error.
Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 180KB) for Examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by 11:59pm on Saturday 5 June 2021. The Applicant’s Regulation 8 notice (PDF, 111KB) has been published.
Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s request for changes (PDF, 180KB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
Please note the Applicant is consulting separately on the additional environmental information (PDF, 2MB) following which the applicant intends to submit final copies. Once received, further opportunities will be made available in the Examination for IPs to comment on this additional submission. The Applicant’s notice in relation to this consultation (PDF, 102KB) has been published.

Registration and Relevant Representation Form
The recordings for this weeks Issue Specific Hearings have been published. Technical issues with the recording for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing are being resolved, and this will be published as soon as possible.
The time reserved for CAH1A, ISH1A, ISH2A and ISH3A in w/c 3 May 2021 will no longer be required and has therefore been cancelled.
Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 180KB) for Examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by 11:59pm on Saturday 5 June 2021. The Applicant’s Regulation 8 notice (PDF, 111KB) has been published.
Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s request for changes (PDF, 180KB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
Please note the Applicant is consulting separately on the additional environmental information (PDF, 2MB) following which the applicant intends to submit final copies. Once received, further opportunities will be made available in the Examination for IPs to comment on this additional submission. The Applicant’s notice in relation to this consultation (PDF, 102KB) has been published.

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 180KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by close of play on 5 June 2021.
Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s request for changes (PDF, 180KB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
Please note the Applicant is consulting separately on the additional environmental information (PDF, 2MB) following which the applicant intends to submit final copies. Once received, further opportunities will be made available in the Examination for IPs to comment on this additional submission.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 180KB) to accept a material change request (PDF, 180KB), made by the Applicant. The ExA has also published a Compulsory Acquisition (Regulation 2010) Regulation 6 – Proposed Provisions Checklist (PDF, 98KB).
Parties can submit comments on this matter by deadline 4, Monday 17 May 2021.
Relevant Representations will be opened in relation to the proposed additional land in due course.
A number of Hearings are taking place this week. The Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearings (PDF, 154KB) and the Agenda for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 139 KB) are available to review.
These hearings are not being live streamed but recordings will be published as soon as possible afterwards.

The Examining Authority conducted an Access Required site inspection (ARI) and an unaccompanied site inspection (USI) on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 April 2021. The note from these inspections (PDF, 149 KB) has been published.
An Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearings (PDF, 154 KB) taking place week commencing 26 April 2021 has now been published. An Agenda for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 139 KB) taking place the same week has also been published.
The Applicant, all IPs, Statutory Parties and Affected Persons are invited to attend. Those wishing to attend should notify the Case Team ([email protected]) by Thursday 22 April 2021. Joining instructions will be sent to attendees at least 48 hours in advance.
These hearings are not being live streamed but recordings will be published as soon as possible afterwards.

Submissions for Deadline 3 have been received and published. The agendas for the Issue Specific Hearings and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing taking place in the week commencing 26 April 2021 will be published on Monday 19 April.

The Examining Authority has issued a Rules 8(3), 9, 13 and 17 letter (PDF, 159KB). It notifies of the following:
- Issue Specific Hearings and Compulsory Acquisition Hearings taking place week in the commencing 26 April 2021;
- A Procedural Decision on Site Inspections; and
- A request for information from the Applicant.

Submissions for Deadline 2 have been received and published.
Deadline 3 is Monday 12th April 2021. You can check what information is requested at Deadline 3 in the Exam Timetable.

Submissions for Deadline 1 have been received and published. The Exam Library has been updated accordingly.
Deadline 2 is Tuesday 23rd March. You can check what information is requested at Deadline 2 in the Exam Timetable.

The Examining Authority has issued the following documentation:
- The Rule 8 letter setting out the Examination Timetable and Procedure, a Procedural Decision to close the Preliminary Meeting in writing (Rule 9) and other important information about the Examination
- The Examining Authority First Written Questions
The Examination Library has been updated.

The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting


Preliminary Meeting Part 2 Tuesday 16 February – Update
The Examining Authority (ExA) has considered the comments and representations made at Procedural Deadline D, and has decided that there are no procedural matters which need to be explored orally. As a result, in accordance with paragraph 7.5 of the Planning Inspectorate’s Advice Note 8.6 (Virtual Events), the ExA does not consider there is a need to reconvene the meeting and will instead formally close the meeting through a written Procedural Decision sent to all Interested Parties on 16 February 2021.
This means that a virtual meeting (PM Part 2) will no longer be held on that date and following the written close of the meeting, the Examination will start.

The Applicant has submitted a non-material change request, which has been accepted by the Examining Authority.
A Rule 9 letter (PDF, 98KB) has been issued detailing the decision. A table detailing the documentation relating to these change requests is given in Annex B.
Submissions for Procedural Deadline D have now been published.
The Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) is scheduled for Tuesday 16 February 2021. As this is a virtual event, joining instructions will be issued to parties who have requested attendance in due course.

The Applicant has submitted a non-material change request, which has been accepted by the Examining Authority.
A Rule 9 letter (PDF, 98KB) has been issued detailing the decision. A table detailing the documentation relating to these change requests is given in Annex B.
Please note the deadline for comments on the following items is Procedural Deadline D, Monday 25 January 2021:
- Further information submitted by the Applicant;
- Written submissions, if required, from the Applicant, any Interested Party or Affected Persons on any changes that are considered necessary to the draft Examination Timetable;
- Requests to be heard orally at the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2), points you wish to make, and why these need to be made orally rather than in writing; and
- The Applicant’s certification of compliance.

The further information requested by the ExA from the Applicant for Procedural Deadline C has now been published. Following review of this further information, a Rule 17 Request (PDF, 116 KB) has been issued to the Applicant by the Examining Authority. Any parties wishing to provide a response to any questions within this letter can do so by Wednesday 13 January 2021.
Please note that the deadline for comments on the following is Procedural Deadline D, Monday 25 January 2021;
- Further information submitted by the Applicant;
- Written submissions, if required, from the Applicant, any Interested Party or Affected Persons on any changes that are considered necessary to the draft Examination Timetable;
- Requests to be heard orally at the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2), points you wish to make, and why these need to be made orally rather than in writing; and
- The Applicant’s certification of compliance.

The further information requested by the ExA from the Applicant for Procedural Deadline C has now been published.
Please note that the deadline for comments on the following is Procedural Deadline D, Monday 25 January 2021;
Further information submitted by the Applicant;
- Written submissions, if required, from the Applicant, any Interested Party or Affected Persons on any changes that are considered necessary to the draft Examination Timetable;
- Requests to be heard orally at the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2), points you wish to make, and why these need to be made orally rather than in writing; and
- the Applicant’s certification of compliance.

The Examining Authority has made a Procedural Decision to postpone the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) due to take place on Wednesday 4 November 2020 until Tuesday 16 February 2021. His letter which includes other Procedural decisions can be read here Procedural Decision to postpone the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) and other Procedural Decisions (PDF, 280 KB).

Submissions for Procedural Deadline B have now been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF 147KB).

The recording of the Preliminary Meeting (Part 1) held on Wednesday 20 October 2020 has now been published.


The Rule 6 letter – Notification of the preliminary meeting and matters to be discussed (PDF, 534 KB) has been issued.
This includes details of the PM, the draft Examination Timetable, notification of an Open Floor Hearing, and other related matters.
Interested Parties wishing to participate in the PM must complete the Preliminary Meeting Involvement Form (by Procedural Deadline A (Tuesday 6 October 2020).
Further information is contained in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF, 145 KB) document.

The notification of Preliminary Meeting (Rule 6 letter) has been sent Read the letter
The letter also includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues.

The Examining Authority has issued a letter to request further information, (PDF 133kb) with an accompanying Questionnaire, to help seek views regarding future events.
The deadline for Questionnaire responses is Sunday 13 September 2020.



You can now register as an Interested PartyRegister online
If you are unable to complete a registration form online and would like to register your interest, please call the helpline on 0303 444 5000 or email the project mailbox, as found on the project page, for advice on how to register.
For further advice please see Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination

The Applicant’s responses to the post-acceptance s51 advice have been published in advance of the Preliminary Meeting.




If the Application is accepted for Examination the application documents will be published and will be found in the ‘Documents’ section of this project page.