The closure of the Amlwch plant was a big blow for Anglesey

A Texan company has put in a bid for the Great Lakes chemical plant on Anglesey which closed this month with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

Canatxx Energy Ventures is interested in the Amlwch site with a view to building a gas-fired power station in Rhosgoch a few miles away.

Canatxx said if the bid was accepted by Great Lakes, it could lead to a multi-million-pound development creating between 100 and 150 jobs.

The company is interested in the site because it wants to build a sea pipeline from its gas storage plant in Fleetwood, Lancashire to Anglesey, which would then supply the power station.

Dennis Volter, chief executive of Canatxx (pronounced Canner - tex), said the company wanted to realise its ambition to get permission to build a power station.

"What we are ultimately interested in is the bigger picture," said Mr Volter.

"It would be a major investment - �200m to �300m would be invested in the power station alone and it will grow quite significantly.

'Exodus'

"All the skills and non-skills jobs at Great Lakes could be brought back into effect.

"We are not a charitable organisation but with the younger workers, we hope we can stop the exodus from the island."

Mr Volter said he was hoping for an answer from Great Lakes this week.

The Rhosgoch site, a former Shell oil depot, is owned by Anglesey council.

Canatxx took out a two-year option paying more than �400,000 to the council, only for another American company, Burlington Resources to take over the option, but then it dropped its interest.

Anglesey council managing director Geraint Edwards said it was "happy to co-operate with any company which may be interested in developing this particular site."

He said the council "would be most encouraged if concrete plans came about as a consequence of inquiries being made at present."