He has also given deemed planning permission for the development having agreed planning conditions with Stockton on Tees Borough Council.

Combined heat and power plants are designed to produce both electricity and usable heat. They have environmental benefits due to their very high levels of efficiency. Local industry will be able to harness and use the heat produced from electricity generation at this power station.

Malcolm Wicks said:  "To secure our energy supplies, and power our homes it is important industry brings forward new energy infrastructure to maintain a diverse energy mix. It's also important that as we face the challenges of climate change we move towards more efficient energy production and this power station is an example of that."