PLANS for a giant megawatt power plant that could create jobs and boost business at the port have gone out to consultation.

The public will now get the chance to have their say on Helius Energy proposals to build a 100MW biomass fired renewable energy station at Western Docks, Southampton.

The firm say the £300m wood-fired plant would create 250 construction jobs, 40 permanent positions and numerous indirect posts in logistics, engineering and support services.

To feed the facility 800,000 tonnes of wood chip, crops, solid recovered fuel, processed cereal and oilseed residue will be shipped in each year.

The power station will produce enough renewable electricity for around 200,000 homes, and it is estimated the plant will save the emission of up to 720,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year when compared to a similarly sized coal-fired power station.

The electricity produced at the plant will be fed into the local electricity grid.

Investigations are under way to establish whether heat from the plant could be provided to adjacent users on a commercial basis.

Boss Paul Brighton said: “We hope this public consultation initiative will provide an opportunity for the local community to learn more about the project and provide feedback on the proposals.

“The scheme provides an opportunity for Southampton to make a significant contribution to reducing overall carbon emissions as well as providing additional employment opportunities. The company intends to canvass views widely and these will be taken into account in subsequent stages of the project development process.”

The biomass power plant will require up to 800,000 tonnes of sustainably sourced feedstock each year, primarily wood-based material. Construction of the plant is expected to commence in 2012.

The Daily Echo has previously published the firm’s Statement of Community Consultation which has been agreed with Southampton City Council.

The firm will be talking to community representatives, organisations and the public over the next four months and information will be available locally at Shirley Library and lodged with Marchwood Parish Council and other sources.

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