WORK on a £160m power station has been marred by activists’ protests.

A demonstration took place yesterday morning (Monday, August 8) at the Port Clarence Renewable Energy Plant, near Middlesbrough.

Bosses behind the joint venture building the plant, Babcock and Wilcox Volund and Lagan Construction Group, told The Northern Echo the protests were not sanctioned by unions.

It is understood protestors were upset over National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry regulations.

A spokesman said: “It is regrettable this has taken place and we have been informed it is as a result of local activists acting independently.

“These individuals chose to take unilateral action to disrupt the project, which affected local road users and businesses.

“We continue to engage in constructive talks with unions at a national and local level.

“These talks will continue regardless of any action, and we are aiming to conclude them in a way which satisfies all parties.”

The Port Clarence Renewable Energy Plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power 75,000 homes by burning waste wood.

Work started late last year and the site is due to begin operating in early 2018.

The plant is expected to create up to 30 direct jobs and support 300 construction posts.

Plans were unveiled nearly three years ago, when they were overseen by developer Eco2 Limited and investor Temporis Capital, on behalf of Port Clarence Energy Limited.

However, the development was subsequently sold to clean energy investment specialist Glennmont Partners, with Eco2 remaining responsible for managing the base.

Proposals to build a biomass factory on the site, were first revealed in 2009, but were dashed when the company behind it struggled to attract funding.

Bio Energy Investments had wanted to build a plant capable of using nut husks from Malaysia.