E.ON plans US$164m biomass plant in Bristol

Plans are in the works to construct a 150MW plant at the port of Bristol as part of E.ON's investment program in a range of power generating technologies.

The company recently came under fire for planning to build Great Britain's first new coal-fired power plant since well over 20 years. It also wants to expand nuclear capacity by adding at least two nuclear power stations. Now, E.ON intends to establish one of the country's largest biomass facilities. The plant would be located on the Royal Portbury Dock in Bristol's port and would be E.ON's third biomass facility in the UK.

 

Paul Golby, CEO of E.ON UK, opined that it can make a significant contribution towards the British government's renewable energy targets. "Schemes such as this, together with cleaner coal, gas and new nuclear, will help us to keep the UK's lights on, while reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy is as affordable as possible for our customers," he said.

 

E.ON's investment program in Britain includes one of the world's largest gas-fired power stations, at the Isle of Grain in Kent, as well as the gas-fired plant at Drakelow in Derbyshire; an offshore wind farm in the Solway Firth and plans for the Humber Gateway wind farm. It is also a partner in the London Array wind farm and has invested in marine energy projects in Cornwall and Pembrokeshire.

 

According to the company, the proposed Bristol biomass power plant would provide enough electricity for 250,000 homes and CO2 emissions savings of 500,000 tons per annum. It will be fired mostly by wood chips, consuming some 1.2m tonnes of them per year. Residual heat would be supplied to nearby industries. If regulatory approval is obtained, construction could start in 2010 with the plant opening in 2013 and achieving full capacity in 2014.