Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant (Sleaford REP)
Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England · 2013–Present (First fired September 2013, operational since) [1] [2] · £165 million [3]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe plant is a significant contributor to the local economy, supporting 30 jobs directly and 50 in the local supply chain. It also has a community benefit fund. [3] [7]
Key engineering challenges
Designing and constructing a straw-fired power plant, only the second of its kind in the UK, requiring specialized fuel handling and combustion systems. [6] - Ensuring a consistent supply of 240,000 tonnes of straw annually from local agricultural sources. [6] - Integrating the plant into the local grid and ensuring efficient energy generation.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Schroders Greencoat (acquired in 2020); originally developed by Eco2. [3] [4]
- Lead contractor
- BWSC (construction and 12-year O&M contract) [5]
- Lead designers
- Eco2 (developer) [4]
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 38.5 MW capacity; combusts 240,000 tonnes of straw annually; powers 65,000 households; offsets 150,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. [3] [6]
- Disciplines
- mechanical; electrical; process; civil; environmental; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- UK environmental regulations, IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) permit.
Sources: BBC News: Sleaford straw-fired power plant fired for first time (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-24044629) [1] - Power-technology.com: Power plant profile: Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, UK (https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-sleaford-renewable-energy-plant-uk/) [2] - Sleaford REP: Renewable Energy Plant In Sleaford (https://www.sleafordrep.co.uk/) [3] - Power-technology.com: Power plant profile: Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, UK (https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-sleaford-renewable-energy-plant-uk/) [4] - BWSC: BWSC signs 12-year operation and maintenance (O&M) (https://bwsc.com/12-year-om-extension/) [5] - Logstrup: Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant (https://www.logstrup.com/case-studies/sleaford-renewable-energy/) [6] - North Kesteven District Council: Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant (Sleaford REP) Grant (https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/your-community/grants-communities-businesses/sleaford-renewable-energy-plant-sleaford-rep-grant) [7]