The new units may be equipped to store carbon dioxide underground

The "highly efficient super-critical coal-fired units" would replace the existing power station at the Kingsnorth site in the Hoo Peninsula.

The company claims the new power station would cut carbon emissions by up to 1.8m metric tonnes a year.

If planning permission is granted, the two new units would start producing electricity by 2012.

The company's plans were submitted to local councils and organisations, including English Nature, as part of a consultation exercise.

The existing 485 megawatt units, which serve 1.5 million people, would be demolished and replaced with two 800 megawatt units.

'Human waste'

The power station would be "carbon capture-ready" which means, technology permitting, carbon dioxide could be stored underground rather than released into the atmosphere.

Alan Sanderson, plant manager at Kingsnorth, said: "We'd also be fitting the new units with special kit that scrubs sulphur, particulates and nitrogen out before they can be released to the atmosphere to make them cleaner and more efficient."

The company, which runs Powergen, is also considering making the new units capable of burning human, animal or plant waste.

E.ON UK said local people would get an opportunity to learn more about the planned development at an exhibition later in the year.