AN engineering firm has been appointed to help overhaul a power plant.

Ramboll will provide consultancy services on the conversion of Lynemouth Power Station from coal to biomass.

Bosses say the proposals will deliver low carbon electricity to the national grid.

They added the contract represents Ramboll’s most high-profile deal in the UK energy market.

The Lynemouth factory, in Northumberland, will burn wood pellets imported through the Port of Tyne, which officials hope will create 60 dockside jobs.

Ramboll, which told The Northern Echo it will use workers from its Newcastle office on the project, will support pellets’ delivery through a terminal at the port, as well managing the plant’s evolution and fuel handling and storage.

Mike Wheeler, vice-director of Ramboll’s power division, said: “Our ability to deliver large-scale and expert resources required by power sector clients to support such projects has been critical.

“This provides us with our highest-profile UK energy sector appointment to date.”

Lynemouth Power Station has generated electricity from coal since 1972, but is being transformed into a green energy hub.

The change is likely to deliver work for a number of North-East companies, with the Port of Tyne already adapting for the work.

Bosses previously told The Northern Echo its biomass imports will cover the loss of coal shipments, with the port not expected to handle any more coal this year.

To fill the gap, bosses are investing in wood pellet handling facilities, including a 75,000-tonne storage base, conveyors and silos.

Andrew Moffatt, chief executive, said the changes will secure the future of the port, which handled record volumes of coal in 2013.

He added: “We expected there would be a reduction in the use of coal, but what caught out the ports sector and companies in the supply chain is the rate of decline.

“It has fallen quite dramatically and we don't expect it will come back.

“Diversification ensures we are not reliant on any one sector.”

Ramboll previously oversaw the design of Gateshead’s Millennium Bridge.