Welsh coal-fired plant to convert to biomass
April 7, 2011
By Argus Media
Apr. 7, 2011, London, UK – Scottish and Southern Energy is planning to convert its 360-MW Uskmouth coal-fired power plant in south Wales to a dedicated biomass plant.
Apr. 7, 2011, London, UK – Scottish and
Southern Energy (SSE) is planning to convert its 360-MW Uskmouth coal-fired
power plant in south Wales to a dedicated biomass plant. The plant, which
co-fires up to 5% biomass, comprises three independent power generating units, each
with 121 MW of capacity. SSE said it plans to convert the plant to run on 100%
biomass, with each converted unit capable of generating 85 MW.
The move comes following the UK
government's decision that all costs associated with dedicated biomass projects
in England and Wales will receive grandfathering support under the Renewables
Obligation (RO).
“We are seeking to convert Uskmouth power
station from coal to using a 100% biomass diet,” says SSE. “Conversion of
traditional fuel sources to biomass is being encouraged by UK and European
legislation, and Uskmouth power station would be well suited for this.”
Under grandfathering, generators receive
fixed banding on the RO scheme, which exempts them from future banding reviews
while guaranteeing the level of support they receive for 20 years. To be
guaranteed grandfathering support, dedicated biomass plants must be generating
power on or before April 1, 2013. SSE's strategy is fully based on meeting this
deadline, with failure to do so expected to result in scrapping of the biomass
proposals.
At present, once a coal-fired plant is
converted to at least 90% biomass, it is considered to be a dedicated plant and
becomes eligible for 1.5 renewable obligation credits/MWh (Roc/MWh), instead of
the 0.5 Roc/MWh for burning biomass at a coal-fired plant.
SSE says it is carrying out an initial
feasibility study to establish how best to progress with the project.
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