CoGen Ltd has been given the financial go-ahead to build the new 21.5MW Ince biomass plant at Protos in Cheshire.
Construction has started with MBV Energy appointed as EPC contractor, Outotec Energy Products being the main technology subcontractor and with MWH Treatment appointed as O&M Contractor.
The Ince bio power project is being financed by the Bioenergy Infrastructure Group and is the fourth biomass power project undertaken by CoGen after the Birmingham Bio Power project in the West Midlands, the Welland Bio Power project in Northamptonshire and Dartmoor Bio Power in Plymouth.
David Pike, Chairman of CoGen said: “The closure of this major project, following closely after Welland Bio Power and Dartmoor Bio Power earlier this year confirms my belief in the CoGen team and what CoGen is striving to achieve.”
Bioenergy Infrastructure Group is a new investment infrastructure platform made up of stakeholders Infracapital, Aurium Capital Markets, Foresight Group and Helios.
The plant will qualify for 1.8 Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for the first 19 plus years of its lifespan.
The electricity will be sold to nPower under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement. The plant is expected to export power for the first time in 2017.
Hamish McPherson, Chief Executive Officer of BIG, said: “We are delighted that the financial close of Ince Bio Power project coincided with the launch of Bioenergy Infrastructure Group which we hope will soon become established as a leading player in the sector.”
Image: Generic biomass (Biopower)


