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SSE acquires biomass facility

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has acquired Slough Heat and Power for £49.2 million from Segro, a provider of flexible business space, it has emerged.

The combined heat and power plant is seen as the UK's largest dedicated biomass energy facility, using wood chips, biomass and waste paper for fuel.

It produces around 80 megawatts of electricity each year, as well as heat.

According to reports, it could eventually have the capacity to produce up to 100 megawatts of electricity.

Ian Marchant, SSE's chief executive, said that the plant will reinforce the firm's position as "the UK's leading generator of electricity from renewable sources".

He added that the plant will provide the company with a platform to make further developments in the fields of biomass and waste-to-energy, adding that both areas could become increasingly significant within the next ten years.

Segro has allowed SSE a 45-year lease of the site, which was valued at £38.6 million in June.

SSE has two other plants using biomass and coal at Fiddler's Ferry and Ferrybridge in Cheshire.

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