Ely Biomass Power Plant (Elean Power Station)
Ely, Cambridgeshire, England · 2000–Present (Commissioned in 2000) [1] [2] · £60 million (for a similar plant, specific cost for Ely not explicitly stated but often referenced in relation to other biomass plants) [3]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchEly Power Station was a pioneering project in the UK for straw-fired biomass, demonstrating the viability of agricultural by-products for renewable energy generation. It has been generating green energy since 2000. [1]
Key engineering challenges
Being the first straw-fuelled power station in the UK, requiring innovative design for straw handling and combustion. [1] - Ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply of wheat straw from local agricultural sources. [1] - Integrating the plant into the national grid and optimizing its operation for continuous power generation.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Energy Power Resources Ltd (EPRL) (initially); Melton Renewable Energy UK (current owner) [1] [4]
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 38 MW capacity; generates 270 GWh of electricity annually; uses wheat straw as feedstock. [1] [5]
- Disciplines
- mechanical; electrical; process; civil; environmental; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- UK environmental regulations.
Sources: MREUK: Biomass (https://www.mreuk.com/our-operations/biomass) [1] - ETDEWEB: Turning straw into power at Ely (Journal Article) (https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/biblio/20168617) [2] - Energy Systems Research Unit: Westfield Biomass Plant (https://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/RE_info/biomasscase.htm) [3] - Power-technology.com: Power plant profile: EPR Ely Biomass Power Plant, UK (https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-epr-ely-biomass-power-plant-uk/) [5] - Energy Map: Ely Power Station Biomass Energy (https://www.energymap.co.uk/project.asp?pageid=451) [6]