ALSTOM wins contract for first dedicated coal and biomass co-firing plant in UK

ALSTOM has been awarded a contract by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) for the design and installation of two dedicated biomass co-firing systems at its Fiddlers Ferry power station in Warrington, UK. The new systems will be installed to the existing coal-fired boilers at the power stations Units 2 and 4. When the units become operational during the first quarter of 2006, the power station will be the first dedicated biomass co-firing plant in the UK. 

Fiddlers Ferry has four 500 MW coal-fired boilers, which were originally supplied and commissioned by ALSTOM during the early 1970s.  Although it is at present co-milling biomass on a commercial basis, the amount of biomass that can be fired in such co-milling systems is limited by existing mill performance. The ALSTOM system will significantly increase the proportion of biomass co-firing in line with the SSE strategy of generating up to 1500 GWh per year from co-fired ROC (Renewables Obligation Certificate) qualifying output, thus increasing benefits to the environment by using renewable resources for electrical production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ALSTOM's system is designed to handle a wide range of biomass materials, which also provides fuel diversity and future fuel flexibility to the operator.

Biomass firing (wood, straw, energy crops etc.) is being encouraged under EU Renewable Energy Incentives as an eco-friendly technology capable of making a major contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. All the equipment, material and construction will comply with the latest EU Standards and ATEX requirements. 

"We commend Scottish and Southern Energy for its commitment to co-fire with renewable energy resources," said Jeff Sizer, V.P. and General Manager of ALSTOMs Performance Projects business. "We believe that our combustion technology expertise and success in improving the environmental performance of power plants worldwide makes this a win-win situation." 

Scottish and Southern Energy is one of the largest energy companies in the UK. Its main activities are in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to industrial, commercial and domestic customers; energy trading; gas marketing; electrical and utility contracting; and telecommunications. This investment confirms SSEs position as the largest generator of electricity from renewable resources in the UK. 

Should you have any media inquiries about this press release, do not hesitate to contact our team.

Your press contacts