Biomass power station planned

A biomass power station capable of supplying enough power for 200,000 homes could be built near Bristol.

The proposed Portbury Dock Renewable Energy Plant would be powered mainly by wood brought to the plant by boat.

Energy company E.ON UK said the 150 megawatt station would be one of the biggest biomass plants in the UK.

If the £300m project gets the green light construction is expected to start in 2010 and full operation would be reached in 2014.

E.ON UK already operates a biomass power station at Steven's Croft near Lockerbie in Scotland and, earlier this year, received permission for a 25MW biomass station in Sheffield.

The company has written to North Somerset council and other interested parties outlining the company's plans and hopes to submit a full application in the middle of next year.

Biomass power stations work by converting (normally through burning) biodegradable matter such as wood, straw and agricultural wastes into heat or electricity.