Green Light for £200 Million Tees Valley Biomass Plant

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Gaia Power Tees Valley Limited (Yarm, England) has received the go-ahead for plans to build a £200 million biomass plant at Billingham Reach Industrial Estate in Tees Valley, England.

Planning permission for the 50-megawatt (MW) facility has been granted by Stockton Borough Council Planning Committee, although Gaia is still trying to finalise a financial package to get the plant under way.

The plant will burn 280,000 tonnes of recycled wood chippings each year to generate enough energy to power more than 80,000 homes. Gaia claimed that the plant will save about 430,000 tonnes per year of carbon-dioxide emissions compared to typical coal-, oil- or gas-fired power stations of similar size.

"We have worked long and hard with the region's stakeholders, local industry and residents to ensure that our project ticked all the right boxes and addressed any concerns raised," said Michael Fox, Gaia Power founder and chairman. "We are delighted to have received planning permission today. This type of power station is a key ingredient in helping the country achieve its carbon reduction targets, and we at Gaia Power are proud to be part of the green industrial regeneration happening within the region."

Richard Poundford, head of regeneration and economic development for Stockton Council, said: "This is really good news for the area. We have been working with Gaia Power as the firm developed the proposal, and the hard work has paid off. It is particularly pleasing, because it is proposed by local people, will create local jobs, and [is] using local businesses in the supply chain. It will also contribute to the changing face of the economy of the Tees Valley."

Last month, Gaia Power announced that it had awarded Aker Solutions E&C Limited (Stockton-on-Tees, England) the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project. The plant will be located on the site of the former North Tees coal-fired power station, now managed by Able UK Limited. The facility will use conventional combustion and thermal-cycle technology to generate electricity. Gaia is seeking further sites for biomass plants in the South East, North West and the Midlands. For additional information, see related news items from September 30, 2009 - E&C Firm Selected for 50-Megawatt Gaia Power Biomass-Fired Plant in United Kingdom.

Able UK Group Development Director Neil Etherington said: "We have worked closely with Gaia Power throughout the development of the project, and we are delighted to welcome the company to Billingham Reach. I think this is an excellent example of two locally based, locally owned and locally managed companies cooperating to put our area at the forefront of renewable energy technology."

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