London, 30 July (Argus) — UK renewables group Able UK has confirmed it has received interest from parties to build a 299MW biomass power plant at its Humber port in northeast England.

Able plans to transform the south bank of the port into an international centre for renewable energy industries. The group has allocated land for a large-scale biomass plant and confirmed that there has been interest.

“We have entered into informal discussions on plans for the biomass plant,” Able group development director Neil Etherington told Argus.

“We were advised 299MW was the optimal size for a plant and so far we have received interest strong commercial interest from the UK and Europe wide. The formal consultation will end in October.”

Able's proposal for a £400mn ($625mn) logistics centre and business park at its port facility, north of Immingham, also includes the construction and installation of wind turbines.

Over £50mn has been invested in the development, which is currently used for vehicle import, storage and distribution activities. The port area covers 1,987 acres (8km²). The North Lincolnshire Council is expected to make a decision in the autumn on the proposals for the site.

“Alongside the wind turbine operations, there is the potential for the development of a biomass power plant capable of supplying electricity for half a million homes and, of course, we will be able to bring in the fuel supplies for the plant via the quay facilities,” Able founder and executive chairman Peter Stephenson said.

“Quite rightly the potential for the UK in becoming an international leader in the renewable energy sector has been compared to the impact of North Sea oil and this project offers the chance for the Humber to become the key centre in the UK and Europe.”

UK generator Drax has already secured local planning consent for a 290MW biomass-fired power plant nearby at the port of Immingham and Denmark's Dong Energy is seeking approval for a 299MW facility at the port of Hull.

The Able plans have already attracted strong interest, with Mainstream Renewable Power considering offshore wind farm opportunities. But the group has refused to comment on interest in the biomass project.

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