Extension granted to Isle of Wight biomass developers

Investment consortium Real Ventures (RV) has been given more time to streamline its proposed wood-burning biomass power station on the Isle of Wight, UK.

Despite winning preferred bidder status from the Isle of Wight Council in 2010, a 12 month extension of that status was granted at a cabinet meeting on 22 May to allow RV more time to prepare a thorough environmental assessment of how it would dispose of its waste ash.

RV believes the biomass plant would generate up to 49 MW of electricity and have a positive impact on the island’s carbon footprint, using 100% virgin wood fuel imported mostly by ships.

Three council members fielded questions from members of the public at the meeting and, although admitting personal interest connections with RV directors, strenuously denied allegations of any closer relationships.

The site of the potential new plant is at a former rubbish dump between Cowes and Newport and aims to be up and running by 2015, employing up to 235 people via direct and indirect roles.