Since 2011, there have been consultations, assessments and various applications put forward for the proposed Snetterton Biomass Plant to be built. After nearly four years of planning, the official start of construction of this major project has begun, which will provide regeneration and new jobs to the area. Iceni Energy, the developers of the idea have joined forces with Eco2 Ltd as well as Breckland Council and Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC EAL) to get construction of the Snetterton Renewable Energy Plant underway.

Snetterton Biomass Plant

The plant will primarily burn oilseed rape and cereal straw, generating 44.2 Megawatts of renewable electrical energy. This is enough to provide electricity to 82,000 homes and potentially an electricity connectivity point for Snetterton Heath, where electricity connectivity is currently poor. Building the plant would enable existing businesses to expand in the area as well as attracting new businesses, improving job opportunities and boosting the local economy.

Cllr Michael Wassell, Leader of Breckland Council said: "I'm absolutely delighted that construction of the biomass plan is now officially underway and am looking forward to the realisation of the benefits it is expected to bring for local people."

The Facts and Figures

• Snetterton Biomass Plant would cut emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 120,000 tonnes every year
• Building the plant will result in a £11million annual investment in the East Anglian agricultural economy (contracts are already in place with local farmers, who will be supplying the straw to power the biomass plant)
• 250 people have been employed to work on site
• Once the plant is built it will provides up to 36 permanent jobs, plus a further 50 jobs in fuel transportation
• By 2021 they hope the plant will create between 500-1,500 jobs within Snetterton Heath

Who Is Involved?

The plant will be run by BWSC and share its ownership with a Danish infrastructure fund managed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners A/S, and will oversee the construction process. Eco2 and Iceni Energy are to take the project forward to financial close.

Chief Executive at Eco2, David Williams commented: "It is fantastic to see work commencing, and we look forward to fostering our relationships in the East Anglian agricultural community, giving local farmers a secured income for their surplus straw and working in partnership to deliver a sustainable-scale straw-fired biomass plant."

The target date for completion of the plant is around mid-2017, bringing improvements to the electricity grid infrastructure and helping Breckland Council develop the Snetterton Heath Area. For more information on the project, visit www.snettertonbiomassplant.co.uk