E.ON has become a member of the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham, the largest local environmental charity, to help support its work at Blackburn Meadows.
The biomass renewable energy plant will be located on the site of a former coal-fired power station. Surrounded by approximately 7 hectares of marshland and, it offers a potential haven for wildlife.
Martyn Thompson Remediation Project Manager at Blackburn Meadows, said: “The land in and around the Blackburn Meadows site is potentially rich in biodiversity which is why it’s so great that we are able to join forces with the Sheffield Wildlife Trust.
“Helping to look after some of the wildlife habitats in and around Blackburn Meadows is really important; enabling children and people from across the area to learn more about wildlife and the world on their doorstep.”
The renewable energy plant will be able to provide approximately 40,000 homes with renewable electricity. The plant will displace the emission of around 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year by burning recycled wood in place of traditional fossil fuels like coal and gas.
Nicky Moore at the Trust said “It’s fantastic that E.ON have joined us as one of our top level members, this demonstrates their commitment to helping the local environment and we hope to work together to strengthen this partnership“
Be Wiggs at the Trust also said: “The site at Blackburn Meadows is being developed to be an attractive wildlife site, rich in biodiversity. It is part of the green corridor along the River Don and will provide invaluable habitats for the wildlife in the area and in the wider Living Landscape”
The Trust works to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the local area
Subject to financial approval, the Blackburn Meadows Renewable Energy plant will be the second of E.ON's biomass developments in the UK, with Steven's Croft near Lockerbie in Scotland the first E.ON station, burning a combination of forestry residue and specially grown willow.