Plug pulled on 550 potential new power plant jobs near Brigg
Centrica Energy have pulled out of plans to build a biomass power station on the old Brigg sugar factory site at Scawby Brook which would have brought 50 permanent jobs and 500 during construction.
The announcement was made this afternoon (Wednesday, October 24).
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How the new plant (left) would have looked at Scawby Brook - close to the railway line and the New River Ancholme
Centrica Energy had proposed to build a new 137MW biomass power station on land adjacent to its existing gas-fired power station at Scawby Brook.
The company also announced today that it will not be proceeding with its planning application to build a new dedicated 80MW biomass plant in Roosecote, Barrow-In-Furness.
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However, while the government has declared its support for biomass as part of the UK’s future energy mix, recent clarification on the regulatory framework for biomass indicates that the priority is to convert coal fired power stations to biomass or to encourage co-firing.
It will now look at other options for the proposed biomass plant site, including a possible new build gas-fired power station.
Centrica Energy spokesperson Suzanne Edmond said: “Over the past 12 months, Centrica Energy has been exploring the potential for a new biomass power station at Glanford Brigg, which we hoped could provide enough renewable energy to power around 200,000 homes.
“Consultation with the local community has been a central part of developing our proposals, and we have been delighted that so many local people have engaged.
“Throughout this time, we have also been talking to the government to clarify energy policy. Our understanding is that future policy will favour conversion of coal fired power stations rather than dedicated biomass, so we have made the difficult decision not to proceed with this proposal”.
“While we will not progress the current plans for a biomass power station at Glanford Brigg, we remain a committed regional employer and will continue to look at investment opportunities in Brigg and the Lincolnshire coast.”
Centrica Energy was conducting an extensive consultation process on its proposal to engage the local community and businesses, including exhibitions and a Supplier Day. The proposed power station was set to create 50 permanent jobs plus 500 jobs during the construction phrase.
Centrica Energy will now evaluate other options for the site, including a possible new build CCGT plant.
The existing gas-fired power station will continue to operate.
Comments
by ranza1
Saturday, October 27 2012, 4:44PM
“We surely need to scrutinise all aspects of Biomass combustion when aware the emissions degrade air quality creating additional health and environmental costs. Current projects detail scheduled production of hazardous air pollution up to 10,000 times higher than equivalent gas per unit of useful power out. Gov reports detail current biomass energy proposals will add £billions to health and environmental costs. One much smaller local biomass project details fundamental hazardous pollution per day equating to exhaust emissions from 11,325,000 diesel vehicle km in the locality.
Drax, GB- BIO Tansterne and Eco2 Brigg projects confirm a Regional requirement for millions of tonnes of biomass for burning and a DECC/Arup report details that current UK biomass proposals will require 90% import. The Drax feedstock requirement will be many times greater than local biomass availability, the Government is offering massive subsidies for farmers to move from food production to dedicated biomass but this sadly ignores the need to feed a rapidly increasing population.
With reports that use of biomass for energy can create climate impact 35% higher than gas why spend £millions of public cash on imported biomass known to degrade air quality when far cleaner gas is available, better still spend the £millions on clean renewables. There is the added concern that import of low grade biomass brings the risk of disease and pests that will destroy indigenous trees, flora and fauna.
Would it be better to invest in CCS to allow combustion of our massive reserves of coal when aware it provides far higher energy density and superior operational efficiency?”
by GeneGenie
Thursday, October 25 2012, 8:58AM
“Correct Mozart, sorry my friend.”
by Mozart
Thursday, October 25 2012, 7:50AM
“GeneGenie. Drax is 4000MW and I believe employs about 800 people. So thats 4000/800 = 5MW /Employee so what are you ratting on about? You need to sort your sums out.”
by WNxbadboy3
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 11:50PM
“there goes jobs even before they started (.”
by GeneGenie
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 10:40PM
“Ha Ha Mozart, You nugget, you haven't a clue what you're talking about!
Example: Drax Power Station, 266MW per person - - Brigg Biomass 2.7 MW per person
Its like having 50 people making your bag of chips instead of 1 person. Overkill.
Now pick up your crayons & go to bed it's a school night.”
by Mozart
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 9:44PM
“I think GeneGenie you're getting your mW (milliwatts or 1/1000th of a watt) mixed up with your MW (megawatts or 1,000,000 watts). Doh!”
by Mozart
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 9:40PM
“50 PEOPLE TURNING OUT 137,000,000 WATTS = 2,740,000 WATTS/PERSON. SOME CHIP SHOP!!”
by GeneGenie
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 5:20PM
“So basically there is not enough subsidy from the Gov't to prop up the loss making scheme that bio mass is. The proposal could never work without the subsidy-- 50 people to turn out 137 MW of electricity, it's like having 50 people working in small chip shop each cutting a potato each!”