Plans are in place to develop a £65 million biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at the Discovery Park Enterprise Zone.

Renewable energy company, Estover Energy, are submitting the planning application for a local scale biomass plant in the science and technology park, and will supply renewable heat and electricity across the 220-acre park. If granted, work with begin on site in 2014.

Andrew Troup, Estover Energy’s Development Director, said:

“If the application is successful, the biomass plant will help meet the energy challenges of the next decade for the region and will stimulate investment in local forestry management. Critically for Discovery Park and its tenants and future occupiers, it will provide a reliable and decarbonised source of energy into the future.”

The project represents an inward investment of approximately £80 million to the area and will significantly bolster the local economy. Around 100 jobs will be created during the construction period and up to 40 permanent jobs, in positions at the plant and a further 20 jobs in the forestry and transport sector.

Communities and Local Government Secretary of State Eric Pickles said:

“Enterprise Zones are creating new local jobs and stimulating business ventures through significant tax incentives, simplified planning and super fast broadband that will rebalance the economy. I’m delighted that Estover Energy is taking advantage of these changes. Their ambitious plan for a new £65 million biomass plant at Discovery Park will boost employment and growth in Kent.”

The planned CHP plant will also supply low carbon electricity to the national grid, supporting the UK’s national target to generate 15 per cent of its energy demand from renewable sources by 2020.

For more information about Estover Energy visit at www.estoverenergy.co.uk.

For more information on Discovery Park Enterprise Zone see: http://www.discovery-park.co.uk/.