A NEW power plant could rise from the ashes of the former Fawley station.

Centrica has revealed plans to build new generators on unused land once home to the decommissioned Fawley power station.

But the proposed power plant, which will be run remotely, will not generate new jobs.

The parent company, which includes British Gas which has an office in Chandlers Ford, has announced similar plans across the country to build small plants which would be operated remotely and used as a back-up for its main power stations and support the National Grid during peak times.

If planning permission is granted, the 20MW gas-fired plant in Fawley, which will be about half the size of a football pitch, will be able to produce enough electricity to power around 20,000 homes.

Workers would be able to use the site's computers to switch the generators on and off from a central location, which has not yet been revealed. The eight engines are expected to run for just a few hours a day during the week.

Jen Snowball, Centrica consents manager, said: “We’ve been working hard to identify the best possible site to ensure a minimal impact on the local community and environment, while also providing the access we need to the local electricity distribution network and gas supply. We believe this site at Fawley is ideal for a plant like this.

“What we’re proposing would be much smaller than the oil-fired power station that closed in 2013. The exhaust stacks would be one-eighth the size of the old chimney and, at less than the size of half a football pitch, the entire plant only requires a small corner of the site.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted to New Forest District Council in the coming weeks.

The council will then consult Waterside residents and business and if permission is granted building work could begin next year.

For more information visit centrica.com/fawley