RWE npower renewables, the UK subsidiary of RWE Innogy, has started to build its biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Markinch, Fife (Scotland). The new plant is the biggest of its kind in the UK. The CHP plant will have an installed output of 50 megawatts and will be able to deliver up to 120 metric tonnes of industrial steam per hour. In all, RWE Innogy is investing approx. EUR 235 million in the construction of this biomass plant. The construction period is estimated to be about two years. During the construction phase up to 400 workers will be on the building site at the same time.
“The construction of this plant will create some 40 permanent jobs in the operation of this plant and in the supply of raw materials. Moreover, the high level of cost effectiveness will secure another 540 jobs for our customer, Tullis Russel Papermakers,” says Stephan Lohr, Managing Director of RWE Innogy Cogen GmbH.
At the moment, the paper manufacturers are still receiving their energy from a 60-year-old coal-fired power station. However, because of its age and high carbon emissions, continued operation will be impossible for both environmental and economic reasons. The new biomass plant will run on wood residues and green wood from sustainable forestry, allowing carbon reductions of approx. 250,000 metric tonnes per year compared with the current solution. As this biomass project is of immense economic significance and is very much in line with climate policy goals, it will receive approx. nine million euros of sponsorship money from the Scottish government.
RWE Innogy’s two main contractors in the construction of this facility at Markinch are Metso (Finland) and Aker Solutions (Norway). The technology group Metso will be delivering and installing the boiler system and the flue gas cleaning system for the power plant. The remaining plant construction will be handled by the engineering and construction company Aker Solutions.