Excellence in Galvanizing
Worksop Galvanizing has been involved in the construction of a £50 million renewable energy plant, which is part of proposals to turn the facility into a predominantly biomass-fuelled generator.
The plant has galvanized more than 2,000 tonnes of structural steel for the Drax biomass plant in Selby, North Yorkshire on behalf of fabricators Finley Structures Ltd, James Killelea Ltd and Billington Structures Ltd, which have all been commissioned on behalf of the main contractor, Shepherd.
Biomass is the fourth most popular energy solution after coal, oil and gas, and is the composition of biological material obtained from living or recently living plant matter, that can be processed into electricity, fuel, and heat. The new biomass storage and handling facility is part of planned proposals that will see three of the firm’s six power units turned into biomass generators. The new biomass units will mix materials such as wood chips, sunflower husks, and grass and will reduce the plant’s carbon emissions by several million tonnes.
Paul Robinson, Commercial Manager at Worksop Galvanizing, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in such a worthwhile project that will see carbon emissions reduced significantly. Drax is the biggest producer of power in the UK, so it is fantastic that the firm is leading the way and developing viable and sustainable energy solutions.
“Over the past few years we have been seen a huge increase in the construction of renewable energy plants, as more and more people recognise the long-term effects of regular energy sources.
Many steel fabricators are also realising the benefits of galvanizing steel, not only to provide protection against rust and corrosion, but to ensure the longevity of the structure, particularly in the damp atmosphere produced by storing bio-mass materials.”