Britain's Secretary of State for Energy, Edward Davey, has issued planning consent to the ESB for the construction of a gas-fired power plant at Knottingley in northern England.
"There is a compelling case for authorising the application, given the national need for the proposed development," said Giles Scott, head of national infrastructure consents.
He made his comments as he explained the minister's decision in an official letter sent to ESB and seen by Reuters.
The UK needs to replace ageing and polluting power plants that are being shutting down.
The minister refused a request from ESB to allow seven years for completion of the project from the date of consent, higher than the five years usually granted.
