MORE than 250 jobs could be created if multi-millionpound plans for a renewable energy-fuelled power plant are given the goahead.

The £150m plant is planned for land to the west of Koppers UK, in Port Clarence, in Stockton, and would create enough electricity for more than 50,000 homes.

It may also be used to provide heat to residential and commercial buildings on the Middlehaven site, in Middlesbrough.

A number of organisations, including Middlesbrough Football Club and Middlesbrough College have already expressed interest in the scheme.

Biomass Power Projects Ltd say the scheme would create up to 200 construction jobs and, once operational, 40 people could be employed at peak times.

The scheme, which is being recommended for approval, will go before Stockton Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

It is proposed that about 400,000 tonnes of pine kernel shells would be burnt at the 49MW biomass power plant each year.

The fuel, which is a biproduct of the food industry, would arrive from Malaysia in 40,000-tonne vessels once a week, therefore preventing the need for HGV traffic.

The fuel is not displacing food production and does not require new crops to be planted.

The 6.1-hectare site will consist of the conical shaped power plant, fuel store, turbine, air pollution control, cooling plant and offices, and will operate 24 hours a day.

The electricity will be exported to the National Grid via a sub-station at North Tees.

It is about 1km from the residential area of Port Clarence and 700 metres east of the Grade II-listed Transporter Bridge.

A report to councillors states: “The proposal would have benefits for the local economy providing employment and training.

“The building will make a positive statement within the wider area, complementing the adjacent Middlehaven development and creating a landmark feature in the area.”

It adds: “It is considered that the proposed biomass design provides a contemporary approach to a power station and would create an exemplar power station that can help set the benchmark for future power station design.”