A Teesside project to build one of the largest biomass plants in the world has been given the green light. Site preparations are due to begin at Teesport in the coming months for the proposed 299MW biomass power station.
The project is anticipated to create upwards of 600 jobs during construction and is expected to maintain 100 full time employees upon completion. Further jobs are also likely to be generated within the supply chain, benefitting the region.
The plant can produce enough electricity per day to power 600,000 homes. The scheme proposes to contribute 1% towards the UKs 15% renewable energy target by 2020, encouraging a reduced carbon footprint for electrical energy production.
The power plant will be build under a turn-key contract between Tecnicas Reunidas and Samsung Construction and Trading (SCT). It is expected construction costs will reach £650M, nonetheless this injection of investment will help boost both the economy and employment for Teesside.
David Robinson, chief executive of PD Ports, said: "This is excellent news for Teesside and gives substantial impetus to the long-term economic activity in the area as well as positioning the region as a major energy hub, creating hundreds of jobs and many more in the wider supply chain.
"Attracting such a significant UK energy infrastructure project to Teesport further complements recent investments made by PD Ports including the decision to redevelop our Number One Quay last year."
