18 July 2007 11:37
E.ON UK gets the ball rolling on biomass power station at Blackburn Meadows in Sheffield

E.ON UK, one of the country's leading green generators, has today (WEDS) submitted a scoping statement to build a £60m biomass power station in Sheffield, bringing new jobs and investment to the area.

Rated at 25MW, the new renewable energy plant would produce enough power for around 40,000 homes by burning a combination of recycled wood and specially grown crops such as willow and elephant grass.

The plant would also displace the emission of around 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year - the equivalent of taking more than 20,000 cars off the UK's roads each year - and is expected to create 20 full-time jobs.

E.ON UK Project Developer Dr Nilton Chan said: "We're looking to breathe life back into the redundant Blackburn Meadows site and believe that a biomass development is a great opportunity to make a contribution to the Yorkshire and Humber Region's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2010.

"It's through projects like this that we can change the way that we produce energy in the UK, helping keep the lights on at the same time as reducing the impact we have on our environment.

"And it's not just the environment that will benefit - we're expecting there to be a number of benefits to the local community in terms of new jobs and investment in the area."

In addition to the displacement of carbon emissions, the company is investigating the potential for supplying heat to neighbouring commercial and industrial establishments, further boosting the project's green status and efficiency.

The scoping statement has been submitted to statutory consultees, including Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and outlines the proposed project including the potential environmental impact of the new development.

It is hoped that a full planning application will be submitted to the council later this year, following the completion of initial design activities and environmental studies.

"It's still very early days but we're committed to working with the community and all our local stakeholders from the outset," said Nilton.

"We pride ourselves on being a good neighbour wherever we operate and are keen to hear the views of local councillors, stakeholders and the community as we go through the planning process."

If the project gets the green light, construction is expected to start early in 2009, with the first power being produced in 2011.

Local people will get the opportunity to learn more about the proposed development at a public exhibition planned for later in the year.

Blackburn Meadows is the second of E.ON UK's biomass developments, with construction nearing completion at the UK's largest dedicated biomass power station at Steven's Croft near Lockerbie in Scotland.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• In addition to Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, statutory consultees include Darnall Ward, English Nature, English Heritage, Environment Agency, Groundwork Sheffield, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Highways Agency, South Yorkshire Forest Partnership, Tinsley Forum and Yorkshire Forward.

E.ON

• E.ON is one of the largest renewable generators in the UK. It has stakes in 20 wind farms across the country, is co-firing biomass alongside coal at two of its power stations, building the UK's largest dedicated biomass power station in Scotland and owns the largest traditional hydro power station in England and Wales;
• The retail business, branded Powergen, is a leading energy supplier in the UK, with around 8.5 million electricity and gas customer accounts, both domestic and SME.

For more information contact:

Emily Highmore on 024 7618 3680

Jonathan Smith on 024 7618 3676