Bam Nuttall wins job on £120m energy scheme

Contractor Bam Nuttall has won the civil engineering package on a major new biomass-powered energy plant near Sheffield.

The £120m scheme, due to start on site in the coming weeks is for E.ON and will be located at Blackburn Meadows near the site of the old Tinsley Towers next to Meadowhall.

When operational, it will generate up to 30MW, enough to power 40,000 homes, by converting recycled waste wood into electricity.

Dave Rogers, regional director for renewables at E.ON, said: “The plans we’ve announced not only set out the final design of the power station but also confirm our intention to begin construction later this month.

“As our commitment to Sheffield demonstrates, we’re leading the development of renewable energy in the UK and biomass power stations, such as Blackburn Meadows, form an important part of that low carbon solution.”

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South-east, said: “I recently visited Blackburn Meadows and I am pleased that construction of E.ON’s new biomass renewable energy plant is now due to commence. This is great news for the area and will deliver a much needed boost for local jobs.”

E.ON will use UK sourced recycled waste wood to power the plant and, as says that as far as possible, it will use local companies throughout the construction of the energy plant. It is expected that the site will create around 30 full-time jobs within the local area once operational in mid 2014.

The energy firm is also working with Sheffield council on its public art competition and the company has committed £500,000 to the project which will create a permanent piece of art work for the area.