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Tilbury's huge biomass power station to shut with 220 jobs lost | Tilbury's huge biomass power station to shut with 220 jobs lost |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The largest biomass electric power generating station in Europe is to close with the loss of 220 jobs while a feasibility study is carried out. | The largest biomass electric power generating station in Europe is to close with the loss of 220 jobs while a feasibility study is carried out. |
The plant on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex was converted from coal to wood pellet and waste oil fuel. | The plant on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex was converted from coal to wood pellet and waste oil fuel. |
A fire in 600 tonne feed hoppers in February 2012 temporarily stopped power generation at the station which supplies 1% of National Grid needs. | A fire in 600 tonne feed hoppers in February 2012 temporarily stopped power generation at the station which supplies 1% of National Grid needs. |
Owner RWE Generation said it would shut on 31 October this year. | Owner RWE Generation said it would shut on 31 October this year. |
RWE Generation said the biomass project was a work in progress and that now was the time to carry out an assessment and review. | RWE Generation said the biomass project was a work in progress and that now was the time to carry out an assessment and review. |
The firm believes biomass still has a role to play in the future and the decision to "opt out" the plant was very difficult. | The firm believes biomass still has a role to play in the future and the decision to "opt out" the plant was very difficult. |
Plans were made during 2012 to bring Tilbury up to new plant standards and create a dedicated biomass power station that would be operational for the long-term. | Plans were made during 2012 to bring Tilbury up to new plant standards and create a dedicated biomass power station that would be operational for the long-term. |
'Need to encourage investment' | |
However Roger Miesen, chief technical officer at RWE Generation, said: "It is with regret that we are announcing the decision to halt the Tilbury Biomass project. | However Roger Miesen, chief technical officer at RWE Generation, said: "It is with regret that we are announcing the decision to halt the Tilbury Biomass project. |
"This decision has not been taken lightly. Tilbury remains a good site for future power generation." | "This decision has not been taken lightly. Tilbury remains a good site for future power generation." |
Thurrock Conservative MP Jackie Doyle-Price said she was concerned about the UK's ability to generate its own sustainable power if projects like this do not go ahead. | |
"I can't understand the RWE decision considering how much they must have put into the project and its potential contribution to the National Grid," she said. | |
"Nine coal fired power stations will be taken out by 2015 leaving a potential deficit on the National Grid. | |
"I would like the company to look again at the project. | |
"We have to make sure we have a regime that encourages investment in serious sustainable energy production which biomass represents," she said. |
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