Isra-Mart srl: Government approves giant Yorkshire biomass plant

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The government yesterday approved plans for a 108MW biomass and energy from waste power plant in Wakefield, Yorkshire.

SSE's £250m multi-fuel project is to be developed within the utility's existing 1,000MW Ferrybridge coal power station site.

Early work on the plant will begin next year, and construction is scheduled to start in October 2012. When complete in 2015 the plant will generate electricity and heat from sustainable fuel sources, including biomass, waste-derived fuels and waste wood.

SSE's joint venture with Shanks is intended to provide processed waste-derived fuels for use at the facility from nearby Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils.

The company is also constructing a trial carbon capture facility at Ferrybridge, in collaboration with Doosan Power Systems and Vattenfall.

Although the existing coal plant is set to close in 2015, Rhys Stanwix, SSE's director of thermal development, insisted that the new plant is not intended as a replacement.

"This multi-fuel CHP plant will be an innovative addition to our generating portfolio, and will make an important contribution to ensuring secure energy supplies," he said in a statement.

An SSE spokesman could not confirm whether last month's proposed downgrading of support for energy from waste under the Renewables Obligation, or the cuts in funding to large biomass projects as part of the Renewable Heat Incentive, will affect the company's plans.

Energy minister Charles Hendry, who also yesterday approved a 1,500MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power plant in North Doncaster, Yorkshire, hailed the impact that the two plants could have on the economy.

"Some £200bn of investment is needed in the energy industry over the coming decade, representing remarkable opportunities for companies in the UK," he said. "These decisions are a further example of our determination to clear the backlog of planning applications, to stimulate growth and enhance our energy security."