Village-wide cheap energy biomass plans submitted - 29/05/2009

High prices from energy suppliers could be tackled with a planned woodchip supplier that may cater for all the energy needs of a Sussex village, reports mrw.co.uk.

Ahs Energy, a company that supplies woodchips for use in the biomass industry, is looking to build a plant at the Sussex village of Northiam that could generate enough energy to cater for 6,000 homes.

The proposed plant would use recovered wood to produce 4.5MW of electricity for the use of the village's 2,000 residents.

Nick Guest, managing director of Ahs, told the website: "Woodchip would be sourced from supplies across the south-east and Ahs will be working with local tree surgeons, forestry companies and private landowners, encouraging new woodland management and supporting local initiatives to encourage coppicing as a source of fuel supply."

He added that the plant could help to reduce emissions in the region and contribute to a larger-scale, nationwide cut in the UK's carbon footprint, while it could also stimulate the local economy by providing new jobs.

In related renewable energy news, a West Yorkshire resident has been forced to switch off a £20,000 wind turbine after complaints from neighbours about noise.

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