DECC greenlights Drax biomass plants
Green energy news – by GreenWise staff
11th August 2011
The Government has given formal consent to two new biomass plants planned by Drax Power, the owner and operator of the UK’s largest coal-fired power plant.
Energy Minister Charles Hendry confirmed yesterday that the two new
biomass stations in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire had received the go-ahead by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The new plants together will provide enough green electricity to meet the needs of over a million homes, but they will only be developed if Government subsidies for biomass are increased,
Drax Power has already made clear.
The Ouse Renewable Energy Plant that would be built adjacent to Drax’ existing 400 megawatt (MW) Selby coal-fired power station in North Yorkshire and the Heron Renewable Energy Plant at South Killingholme near Immingham will each have a capacity of 299 MW. Their construction will each create around 600 jobs and will lead to 150 long-term jobs, DECC said.
Green subsidies
The Selby biomass plant, which received unanimous backing as long ago as November 2009 by North Yorkshire County Council, was due to begin producing green energy by 2013, but its construction is being delayed in part because the level of subsidy provided to biomass through the Renewables Obligation (RO) is considered too low by Drax to make biomass plants competitive. DECC is currently reviewing the RO, but has not yet confirmed a bigger subsidy for biomass.
"I am very pleased to give the go-ahead for these two new biomass power stations in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire," said Hendry. "They will not only enhance our security of supply, but provide low-carbon electricity that reduces our carbon dioxide emissions".
Essex gas power plant
Last week, Hendry gave the go-ahead to a new £600 milloin gas power plant being proposed in Essex that would produce enough power for more than seven million homes if developed. The Gateway Energy Centre will be built carbon capture ready.
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