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REA: Back Biomass Campaign welcomes acceptance of RES application for a new biomass power station in the Port of Blyth

13/04/2012

The Back Biomass Campaign has today welcomed the announcement by the renewable energy project developer RES that its application for planning permission for a new renewable energy power station at Battleship Wharf in the Port of Blyth has been formally accepted by the Planning Inspectorate, moving the project a step closer to realisation.

If consented, the North Blyth biomass power station would have the capacity to generate up to 750GWh (gigawatt hours) of clean, renewable electricity a year – which is equivalent to the average needs of approximately 170,000 homes. This would make a significant contribution to the UK’s future energy requirements and help to achieve the North East’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2020.

The 300 jobs that the facility could provide demonstrates the capacity of the biomass industry to deliver economic as well as environmental dividends. This project highlights how biomass can make a real contribution to green growth and jobs in the UK by harnessing an existing skills base and infrastructure, helping to develop existing sectors such as farm diversification and improved forestry management.

However, the Back Biomass campaign has cautioned that, without a proper regulatory framework and clearly defined support levels, the industry would not be able to deliver on this potential. It therefore remains essential that biomass continues to receive the necessary backing from Government.