£250m Blyth biomass power station gets green light

Plans for a £250m biomass power station in Blyth will go ahead the Secretary of State for Energy has announced.

Located at Battleship Wharf in Northumberland’s Blyth Estuary, the 1000MW power station will generate low carbon electricity to power the equivalent of over 17,000 UK households.

Hertfordshire renewable energy developers, RES, are behind the scheme and say it will bring “hundreds” of jobs to the region during the 2-3 year construction process and 50 permanent posts.

RES Project Manager Chris Lawson states: “We are delighted by the Government’s decision to grant permission for North Blyth Power Station, which we believe will play an important part in the strong and growing renewable energy industry in South East Northumberland.

“It is also a welcome confirmation of the Government’s support for sustainable, low carbon energy projects which will make a significant contribution towards meeting the UK’s legally binding 2020 renewable energy targets.

“We now look forward to taking the project forward to construction and to kick starting this multi-million pound investment in the Blyth Estuary area.

“We have really appreciated the interest and input that the local community has given to the North Blyth Biomass Power Station, and in particular the work of the Community Liaison Group (CLG).

“We will continue to work with the CLG, as well as local residents and business, as we move towards starting construction next year. We also look forward to engaging with local people on the Community Benefit Fund that the project will bring.”

North East law firm, Bond Dickinson, advised on the deal that is the first biomass fuelled power station to be granted a Development Consent Order.

Richard Guyatt and Vicki Redman, partners in the Planning & Infrastructure team at Bond Dickinson, led the legal advice on the consent process. Lawyers from the firm’s Real Estate and Projects team were also involved.

Richard Guyatt, said: “The project was notable for the excellent community relations that RES has fostered, and the good working relationship it has with key regulatory authorities including Northumberland County Council, MMO, Natural England and the Environment Agency. It represents an excellent example of how the Planning Act 2008 process can work, when consultation and engagement are at the heart of the project from its inception.

“Bond Dickinson is very pleased to have been part of the project team and it cements our reputation as a leading provider of advice on major infrastructure projects.”