U.K. biomass power station project moves forward

Web exclusive posted June 30, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. CST

Key consent has been given to a proposed 65 megawatt biomass power station in the United Kingdom that will require 430,000 tons of feedstock each year. Helius Energy PLC received the go-ahead from U.K. Energy Minister Malcom Wicks for the biomass power station at Stallingborough in North East Lincolnshire.

"This announcement takes us closer to achieving our proposed renewable energy targets," Wicks said in making the announcement. "We have doubled the amount of renewable electricity to 5 percent over the last few years and later this month we will be launching our consultation on how we can drive this forward even further."

"This consent allows Helius Energy to begin to implement our plans for the production of renewable electricity from sustainable biomass," said Helius managing director John Seed. "Now that we have been granted consent by the secretary of state we look forward to working closely with North East Lincolnshire Council to bring this project to completion. The project will not only put the area on the green energy map, but will create both direct and indirect employment opportunities in the local area."

Stallingborough is the first 65 megawatt project in a portfolio of similar sized plants under development by Helius in the U.K. Construction is expected to start later this year, with operations beginning by 2011. Helius has a dual strategy � developing large biomass power plants in areas where the transportation infrastructure makes the handling of large volumes feasible and smaller, modular biomass power plants using their trademarked GreenSwitch plant in locations with wet feedstocks such as breweries and distilleries. Helius announced late last year its first 7.2 MW GreenSwitch biomass power plant will be build in partnership with the Combination of Rothes Distillers Ltd. in Scotland.