Worksop Galvanizing has played an important role in the ongoing construction of a new multi-million pound renewable energy plant which is set to produce enough energy to power thousands of homes.
The plant has played an important role in the ongoing construction of a new multi-million pound renewable energy plant which is set to produce enough energy to power thousands of homes.
Worksop Galvanizing has galvanized approximately 1300 tonnes of structural steel that construction contractor Caunton Engineering is using to create the framework for a new plant in Sleaford, Lincolnshire that will generate electricity by burning straw.
The new plant, which is being overseen by North Midland Construction is due to open in 2014, and will comprise of two 3,000 m2 straw barns, a wood chip import facility, and combined turbines and boiler halls. It is set to be only the second facility in the UK to turn burning straw sourced from local farms into power and used to generate 38MW of renewable energy, enough to power and heat around 65,000 homes.
The innovative project has been developed by Eco2 and is one of several biomass renewable energy plants being implemented across the UK. Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor is the main contractor on the project, which will help save around 250,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, and surplus heat from the plant will be piped to Sleaford’s public swimming pools and other community facilities
Paul Robinson,General Manager at Worksop Galvanizing, said: “We are delighted to have worked on this project, which truly demonstrates the concept of renewable energy. Not only is the plant set to significantly reduce carbon emissions, ash created from burning the straw will be recycled and turned into fertiliser for use on local farms. We are increasingly being called upon to work with customers on renewable energy projects and it is fantastic that firms are playing an active role in finding sustainable energy sources.”
Steven Waterhouse, Director at Caunton Engineering, commented: “We called upon the services of the team at Worksop Galvanizing as it is essential the steel for the project is galvanized, to protect against rust and corrosion. The team provided a fast and efficient turnaround time, and we can now guarantee its longevity for years to come.”