Barrow-in-Furness to get £20 million biomass energy plant

The  facility, to be built by Sunrise Renewables Ltd,  will be located at Ramsden Dock on the waterfront of Barrow-in-Furness. It is anticipated the renewable scheme will create around 50 construction and 25 permanent jobs.

The decision this week goes against a decision in May by members of the development control and regulation committee of Cumbria County Council at the time, who voted to refuse the application by Sunrise Renewables. Councillors were worried about the impact of the CHP plant on a proposed marina village and concerns about heavy goods vehicles being channeled through Barrow town centre. However, that decision has been reversed following the county council elections in June. 

Furness Enterprise, a development agency that supports the CHP project and has been assisting Sunrise Renewables develop it, said the go-ahead would reinfore the importance of Barrow-in-Furness as 'The Gateway to Britain’s Energy Coast'.

Barrow-in-Furness has been dubbed the 'Gateway to Britain’s Energy Coast' because of mix of energy projects it already has and is planning. Wind turbines already operate off its coast and another three offshore farms are scheduled in the near future. Three offshore gas storage schemes are also planned and up to four nuclear power stations are being considered in west Cumbria and north Lancashire.

The town also offers a strategic position for the importing of wood chippings needed to power the CHP plant by either sea, rail or road.

Stuart Klosinski, Industrial Development manger at Furness Enterprise, said: “This adds to the potential of the Waterfront investment in Furness by reinforcing the importance of Barrow-in-Furness as The Gateway to Britain’s Energy Coast. The approval granted by Cumbria County Council will allow Sunrise Renewables to bring the plant to fruition so that it creates sustainable power jobs and supply chain opportunities for local firms.

"Now is the time for businesses wishing to exploit the potential of energy investments in or on the coast of the East Irish Sea. We have a highly skilled workforce in the Furness area that will be able to assist in the construction and running of the new energy plant”.