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Plans for Teesside biomass power station revealed

Plans to construct a 45-megawatt biomass power station on Teesside have been revealed.

The proposed facility, which could create 50 new jobs, is planned for a site along Port Clarence Road, Billingham, near the iconic River Tees Transporter Bridge.

Cardiff-based energy company Eco2 resurrected shelved plans earlier this year and they are expected to go to public consultation next week.

An application is due to be lodged with local authority planners in February for the plant.

The facility will take waste wood brought into the site by road, and power generated will be fed into the National Grid, powering up to 45,000 homes.

Bio Energy Investments (BEI) first announced plans for a facility at the site back in 2009, but the project proved to be “unworkable” and struggled to attract funding.

The BEI-Teesside facility was designed by the studio that went on to create the iconic London 2012 cauldron.

The cutting-edge design, commissioned by Heatherwick Studio, had a volcano-shaped tower with viewing platforms cut into the side.

It gained planning permission in 2010 - but the timing, at the height of the banking crisis, meant it failed to attract the finance needed and BEI - which is not connected to the current scheme - ceased trading soon after.

The public and interested parties will be able to view the new proposals during the drop-in public exhibition and consultation on Tuesday, December 3 from 1pm-7pm in the Conference Room at Billingham Forum.

Ruth Shepherd, consultation manager at Results Communications, said: “The site was previously the subject of planning permission for a similar proposal. That consent proved to be unworkable.

“The new proposals are being brought forward by the developer and an investment partner, who focus on the sustainability sector.

“The plant will be formed by Eco2 and another company, both of which have a strong track record in delivering and operating similar schemes.

“Considerable time has been spent preparing these proposals and we would welcome the opportunity to present our plans and answer questions.

“This is a drop-in exhibition, and I urge anyone interested to come along to view the proposals and tell us what they think.

“Members of the project team will be in attendance and available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns people may have.”

Dr Andrew Toft, director of projects at Eco2, added: “It’s always good to get out and finally explain what we want to do, it’s the start of the planning process and we’ve got quite a way to go yet.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .