Mandate for Mott MacDonald

, the engineering, management and development consultants, has been appointed by

to assist in the project management of the largest dedicated

biomass power station at Stevens Croft near

.

The €130 million plant, which will have an output of 44 MW, will supply the needs of 70 000 homes and displace 140 000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

The E.ON UK Renewables project at Stevens Croft involves the use of a mixture of renewable wood based fuels that are available in the local area. Around 475,000 tonnes of sustainable wood will be consumed per year including 95,000 tonnes of short rotation coppice.

The project, which is due for completion in 2007, will create 40 direct jobs and should create or safeguard over 300 jobs in forestry and farming as well as encourage additional investment in sawmills.

Modern biomass used around the world includes forest wood and agricultural residues, urban wastes, biogas and energy crops. The technology of burning these renewable natural resources to create energy is well proven, usually involves large-scale uses and is designed to provide a substitute for conventional fossil fuel energy sources.