Power station 'to create construction jobs in Lincolnshire' - 18-06-2008 - 13:12

A new power station project in Lincolnshire is set to create 267 construction jobs after being approved by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

The department said earlier this week that the new project will see a 65 MW biomass power plant built near Stallingborough, north-east Lincolnshire.

Once complete, the biomass facility will be fuelled by waste wood and crops produced specifically for electricity generation and is expected to provide energy for 100,000 homes.

Commenting on the planning approval, Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister, said: "This announcement takes us closer to achieving our proposed renewable energy targets."

Mr Wicks added that the decision to build the plan was "another stepping stone towards powering a greener, cleaner UK".

The plant will be built by Helius Energy and in addition to the 267 construction jobs, the firm will create 75 permanent roles once completed.

Earlier this year, Tom Beadle - a biomass consultant for Helius - said the UK's biomass sector was producing "very exciting" opportunities.

Flood defence construction 'moves closer' - 05-06-2008 - 17:49

Construction work on flood defences in the Westgate area of Wakefield is set to begin once an engineers report in October has been considered.

The Environmental Agency is planning to build flood water storage areas and raise and create walls to protect the area, the BBC reports.

Nearby villages Alverthorpe and Wrenthorpe were among the areas along with Westgate that were flooded last summer and are expected to also be protected under the scheme, which is anticipated will take 18 months to complete.

Steve Goring, project manager at the agency, is confident their plans will provide secure protection for the area.

He told the news provider: "The revised scheme has larger reserves and is intended to cope with a one-in-a-100-year flood."

Meanwhile, the Environmental Agency has employed consultants to begin construction design for a £11.7 million flood protection scheme in nearby Ripon, North Yorkshire, the Ripon Gazette and Boroughbridge Herald reports.

Rolls-Royce the focus at US conference - 09-05-2008 - 10:33

The increasing range of energy sector products offered by Rolls-Royce was the focus of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston in the US this week.

Gas turbines which generate electrical power drilling rigs and production platforms, diesel engines for platform towing ships and rotating thrusters which use satellites to keep rigs in place were all on show at the city's Reliant Arena, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Demand for the British company's thrusters was said to be particularly high "amid a global boom" in construction for rigs which can drill to depths of up to two miles.

A spokesman for Transocean, the world's biggest offshore drilling contractor, said these products are "a critical component" which allows the company to work in deep water.

Trey LeBlanc, a sales manager for Rolls-Royce's offshore unit, said other drillers had placed orders for their thrusters and added "everything is going through the roof" with numerous contracts being signed.

Latest moves in the US follow the company announcing a solid start to the year, including sealing a £2 billion with US Airways to produce Trent 700 engines.

Rolls-Royce is said to have 38,000 people in engineering and construction jobs across its aerospace, marine and energy divisions.

Residents left confused by wind farm proposals - 29-04-2008 - 16:37

Residents living near the proposed site of a wind farm in Scotland are looking for answers after it was reported that one of the major backers of the project has abandoned the proposals.

General Electric has reportedly pulled out of the plans for Griffin wind farm which is near Aberfeldy.

Anne Lindsay, of Amulree and Strathbraan Windfarm Action Group (ASWAG), said: "Since this was announced, we have heard nothing. After the consent was granted in February there was a flurry of information regarding starting dates, which were to be the autumn of this year."

She added that ASWAG has never heard a word about anything –"so much for local consultation".

There has been fierce opposition to the plans for the 68-turbine wind farm as locals believe that it will affect the landscape and ruin tourism in the area.

General Electric is a multinational American technology and services conglomerate which was founded by Thomas Edison.

Residents seek flooding reassurances - 25-04-2008 - 14:23

Residents near the construction site for a new school in Hamilton are seeking a flood risk assessment for the area.

The building work on the site is well advanced but residents in Knowehead have expressed fears of flooding since the plans were announced in 2005.

Uddingston councillor Jim McGuigan said: "I think it's important that they have their say. They may well be protected from water coming in from the Clyde, but they are not necessarily protected from surface water coming down into the estate from the other side."

He added that Knowehead is the "lowest lying" area of Uddingston and is "particularly vulnerable".

The £18.1 million school was built on a floodplain and there was not a flood risk assessment included in the plans.

Developers of the school, Inspired, have said that the building itself will not be affected by flooding

Hamilton is located in the county of Lanarkshire.

Protestors complain over waste recycling centre plans - 21-04-2008 - 10:32

Around 60 people turned out to protest at the construction of a waste recycling centre near an historic castle in Rhuddlan.

The planned site for the development is within sight of the castle and is also opposite a new hotel which is being built.

Rhuddlan Environmental Group chairman Brenda Taylor, said: "The recycling development is unacceptable. It would harm the character of a historic landscape. It would create 'fields of litter' surrounding this outstanding site."

She added that the group is calling on the council to withdraw its application and instead accept the counter-application from the group to build better parking area for the Ruddlan Wildlife Park.

The group is claiming an order was made in 1954 to prevent any developments being built on the 364 acres around the castle.

Rhuddlan is a town in the county of Denbighshire and is most well known for the ruins of Rhuddlan Castle which was built in 1277.

E.ON submits green power plant proposals - 18-03-2008 - 10:49

Energy firm E.ON has submitted plans for a green power plant at the Blackburn Meadows site in Sheffield.

The £60 million proposals include a biomass-fuelled power station which would be capable of providing electricity to 40,000 homes.

Dr Nilton Chan, E.ON Blackburn Meadows project manager, said: "If approved, this new project will breathe new life into the redundant site and is a great opportunity for us to help Sheffield to play its part in tackling climate change."

He added that the development will also bring "social and economic advantages" to the area including funds to support local projects.

According to E.ON the power plant would stop the emission of 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Construction is expected to start in 2009 if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

E.ON UK is the second largest electricity generator in Britain. The company is part of E.ON which is headquartered in Germany.

Welsh homes praised for green standards. - 11-03-2008 - 10:49

Houses currently being built in the north Wales town of Ruthin have been praised for their environmentally friendly features.

The homes have been recognised in the first ever BREEAM Awards by the Building Research Establishment for their green credentials.

Environment minister Jane Davidson said: "These winning developments showcase this good work in practice. Projects like these will help us meet our One Wales commitments for reducing carbon emissions, and to improve our energy efficiency in the fight against climate change.

The houses, which are being built by developers George Wimpey North West, were praised in particular for their good transport links, recycling facilities, roof rainwater harvesting system and their condensing boilers which are low-emission.

Also recognised at the awards was the Great Oak Business Park in Llanidloes, gaining top marks in the office category.

George Wimpey is a dedicated house building firm which has 26 regional businesses and three satellites in the UK.

Windfarm cable plans met with dismay - 07-03-2008 - 10:58

Plans for a 200 mile long power cable to export power from a windfarm off Shetland have been met with dismay by locals.

The cable is needed to transport the power generated by the windfarm which is being planned by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited (SHETL), with Viking energy overseeing the plans.

Paul Featherstone, a sea trout hatchery owner, told the Shetland News that the proposals will badly affect his business: "I have got this double whammy of the landfall coming into Weisdale Voe and running the interconnector cable right past my hatchery. There will be considerable peat disturbance and the run off into Weisdale burn will kill my fish stone dead."

SHETL made the announcement after choosing the West side of the island to palace the cable following the elimination of four other locations.

A public road show will be held to get feedback on the plans from the locals of Shetland.

Viking Energy is a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy and was formed to represent Shetland council's interest in the wind energy development on the island.

Environmentally-friendly housing estate gets grand opening - 22-02-2008 - 10:14

A new environmentally-friendly housing estate in Halifax has been officially opened, making the houses the first social homes in the UK to meet the new environmental guidelines.

The £7.9 million estate at Tewit Close, Illingworth includes houses which will use only 46 per cent of the carbon which is used in a normal house.

Amanda Garrard, executive director of Pennine Housing 2000, which owns the estate, told the Halifax Courier: "The Illingworth development is an important step for housing in this country. New homes need to be both economically and environmentally friendly to ensure that we reduce carbon emissions and protect our future."

She added that all companies which are involved in the development and construction of housing must be "prepared to play a pivotal role in this shift change".

Several of the houses have already been sold at a price of £55,000 as part of a shared ownership scheme.

The scheme means that payments of rent and mortgage will vary from £430 to £480 a month.

Pennine Housing 200 was set up in 2001 and manages just over 11,000 properties in the UK.

Wind farm plans given boost - 20-02-2008 - 10:32

Devon Wind Power (DWP), the firm behind the wind farm which is to be located near Ilfracombe, has said that it could be up and running by 2010.

The project was granted planning permission last October but progress has been halted by a dispute over who is paying what for the proposals.

A hearing will take place in June to determine if North Devon Council will have to pay a "significant part" of the total costs for the wind farm.

Thee High Court gave its permission for the decision to be made quickly in order for construction to begin sooner.

DWP's chief executive, Keith Pyne, told the North Devon Gazette that this is "very good" news.

He added: "There is a minimum two-year lead in time to buy the turbines, arrange delivery and sort out other operational issues before a wind farm can be built and start to generate electricity."

Last year the government announced that it wants to create up to 33 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind farms by 2020.

ODA unveils sustainability plans - 19-02-2008 - 10:02

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has revealed the plans for the construction of an energy centre as part of a public consultation.

According to the ODA, sustainable energy and green fuels are to be used to provide power to the Olympic Park.

It is believed that the energy centre - which local residents now have the opportunity to comment on - will feature an "efficient" power, heating and cooling system for the games and the local community.

The ODA claims to be committed to using renewable energy technology in order to develop efficient energy systems for the Olympic site.

In related news, John Armitt, chairman of the ODA, told the British Urban Regeneration Association dinner that the regeneration process taking place in the area was expected to bring "social and economic change".

"In the next few weeks we will launch various schemes aimed at ensuring that London 2012 leaves a real long-term employment and skills legacy for local people and UK construction," he stated.

British Energy considers new wind farms - 13-02-2008 - 17:33

British Energy has confirmed that it will continue to consider other wind farm developments, even if its Isle of Lewis wind farm is rejected by the Scottish Government.

Bill Coley, chief executive of British Energy, told Forbes: "Whether or not we pursue Lewis, it will not have a bearing on whether or not we would consider wind farms elsewhere."

The Isle of Lewis wind farm proposal has generated significant local opposition with a 5,000-signature petition sent to the Scottish executive.

A joint venture between British Energy and AMEC, the project has received initial opposition from the Scottish Government, stating that it was "minded to refuse" the development due to the environmental impact and local hostility.

While partners have suggested scaling down the project to meet local needs, Mr Coley highlighted problems with such a proposal.

He confirmed that the smaller a project is, the more "economically challenging it is to make it a successful project".

The Times has reported that British Energy has reduced its output forecasts for financial year 2008-9 as a result of unexpected closures of two of its reactors.

Work to begin on Essex wind farm - 12-02-2008 - 10:38

Construction work is set to begin within weeks on a major wind farm off the coast of Essex.

The proposals for the wind farm were given the go-ahead in 2004 and work is now set to begin on the parts of the site located onshore.

Frits Kristoffersen, project manager, told the East Anglian Daily Times: "We are delighted to announce that the onshore construction phase of Gunfleet Sands offshore wind farm will be starting in the last week of February."

He added that the construction work will cover the onshore works and will "include the cable laying and associated work".

DONG Energy is the company behind the new wind farm, which will provide power to around 120,000 homes.

A public exhibition will be held, explaining the plans, in order to try and appease locals who have opposed the project.

DONG Energy was founded in 2006 when six Danish energy companies merged together. It employs approximately 4,500 people.

Coventry construction company gets clean-up contract - 08-02-2008 - 11:17

A construction company in Coventry has been awarded the contract to help the operation to clear up the damage caused by last year's floods in South Yorkshire.

Deeley Construction, will be trying to make over 250 homes which were damaged in the floods, fit to be lived in again.

Peter Goodgame, managing director of Deeley Construction, told the Coventry Telegraph: "The effort has been to ensure that we get the elderly and the infirm back into their homes as quickly as possible but it really is a major operation to get all of the properties back to standard."

The company will be working in partnership with Cunningham Lindsey which is a loss adjusting firm.

South Yorkshire was hit by floods last June and some of the damage inflicted during that period has still not been repaired.

Deeley Construction was established more than 60 years ago and has a diverse range of clients.

Lewis Wind Power agrees deal for windfarm construction - 17-01-2008 - 10:00

Lewis Wind Power has agreed a deal to manufacture the turbine towers for a new wind farm on the Isle of Lewis.

REpower UK has come to an initial agreement with the local firm of the building of the windfarm but any deal struck is dependant on planning permission being given to the proposals.

David Hodkinson, Lewis Wind Power director, said: "This initiative follows the announcement last month that a consortium of Highlands and Islands firms were coming together to begin negotiations for the construction of the Lewis wind farm."

He added that when taken together, the initiatives underline the company's "long-standing, irrevocable, commitment to ensure that the Lewis wind farm makes a significant contribution to the economies of Scotland, and particularly the Outer Hebridies".

A final decision on the planning permission for the windfarm is set to be made by the Scottish government in the near future.

Lewis Wind Power was established specifically for the Lewis Wind Farm proposal and is a joint venture of British Energy Renewables and AMEC.

Construction to begin on new energy plant - 14-01-2008 - 15:52

Construction is set to begin on a new energy-from-waste plant in Bexley, south-east London, which will be the largest plant of its kind in the UK.

A 15-year planning dispute was ended last year when permission was given for plant to be built and now construction is finally going to begin on the £300 million project with work already underway on the main road being used as an access point, Norman Road.

John Bolden, director at Cory Environmental, which is the firm behind the new development, said: "It's given us the opportunity to proceed earlier than would otherwise have been the case, while we finalise the contract with Von Roll."

Completion of the plant is scheduled for the end of 2010 and the plants turbines have already been booked in advance for the delivery date.

Having been in business for over 100 years, Cory Environmental is considered one of the top waste management companies in the UK and employs over 1,000 people across the county.

Locals protest at Tallentire wind farm - 11-01-2008 - 11:26

Plans to build a new wind farm in Tallentire have been met with disapproval from local residents who have formed an action group to protest against the construction of the farm.

Allerdale council has received planning applications from Novera Energy, which wants to build five turbines at Fleeter Wood, reports the Times & Star.

In a template letter sent to local residents by the action group, the group wrote: "This proposal would result in unacceptable harm to the local landscape in terms of its intrinsic quality and local distinctiveness. The wind turbines would be clearly visible from the Lake District national park, the Solway Coast, Cockermouth gem town and Maryport where tourism is a developing industry."

The group is now asking as many people in the area as possible to sign the letter and send it onto the council.

A decision will be made by Allerdale Council on the plans soon.

The recently published Energy Bill has announced plans to change the renewable energy obligations regime which could result in the construction of more wind farms in the future in the UK.

Construction begins on Robin Rigg windfarm - 20-12-2007 - 10:13

Construction has begun on the £325 million Robin Rigg windfarm in the Solway Firth.

A purpose built jack-up vessel will be used to construct the turbines. The vessel, MV Resolution, has begun installing the foundations for the turbines.

Ian Johnson, senior project manager at E.ON, said: "The resolution will use six massive legs, each half the length of a football pitch, to lift itself out of the water and create a stable platform from which we can work."

He added that an 80 metre crane will be used to lift the foundations off the vessel

They are driven in using a 140 tonne anvil and "an incredibly powerful hydraulic ram".

The windfarm will be one of the biggest in the world when it is finished – the completion date is in spring 2009.

Meanwhile, planning permission has been granted for a new windfarm at Achany in Scotland. It will have 32 turbines and construction is expected to begin in the New Year.

UK company engineers mobile foam - 13-12-2007 - 09:07

A UK engineering company has developed a mobile decontamination system which could help shorten the decommissioning process at Sellafield.

Cheshire-based company Nexia Solutions created the system which has two parts – a foam generator and a separate encapsulation receptacle.

Richard Taylor, head of technical resource at Nexia Solutions, said: "At Sellafield, we have a lot of old chemical plant with contamination in the pipe works and vessels, so the foam decontamination system is a novel way to carry out in situ decontamination."

He added that trials had been carried out with radioactive materials and the system achieved "95 per cent decontamination efficiency on small test pieces such as small pennies".

The company has only carried out small scale trials so far but hopes it can release the system for use in the near future.

Nexia Solutions is part of the BNFL Group and is a wholly owned subsidiary company. It aims to deliver technology services and solutions to its customers.