A new US$158 million biomass terminal is planned for the Port of Liverpool which will see it handle up to three million tonnes of wood pellets a year as part of the decarbonisation of Drax power station.
The terminal is being built as part of Peel Ports’ ambitious growth plans for the Port of Liverpool, with the company already investing $500m to create the UK’s most centrally located deep water container terminal, known as Liverpool2.
The wood pellets are a by-product of the commercial forestry and saw-milling industry and will provide the Selby-based power station with a new, sustainable low carbon fuel source.
The new biomass terminal, which includes a new rail loading facility and storage capacity for 100,000 tonnes, will be built by building and civil engineering company GRAHAM.
Liverpool2 will enable the port to handle the largest container ships in the global fleet while at the same time doubling the port’s container capacity by one million TEU.
Mark Whitworth, CEO of Peel Ports, said: “As a business Peel Ports is investing $500 million to create the UK’s most centrally-located deep-water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool.
“Creating a deep-water container terminal in the north of England is a vitally important component of the Northern Powerhouse and will help to re-balance the economy.
“In addition we are also investing a further $158 million to create a new biomass terminal at the Port of Liverpool, which will fuel the Northern Powerhouse by providing the wood pellets for Drax power station as part of the largest decarbonisation project in the EU.
“Our new relationship with Drax illustrates the importance of east/west connectivity in driving growth and creating jobs in the north of England.
Andy Koss, CEO, Drax Power, said: “The biomass terminal at the Port of Liverpool will enable us to further our ambitious decarbonisation plans and ensure DRAX continues to lead the charge when it comes to creating sustainable, affordable renewable power.
“It is important to us that we measure the carbon footprint of every step in our supply chain from harvesting to transportation. By shipping to Liverpool and transporting our biomass via rail, Peel Ports have provided us with a logistics solution which minimises carbon emissions and helps us maintain our low-carbon manifesto.”
The new terminal is set to open October, 2015 and will become fully operational in July 2016.
