THE UK’S first bio-energy power-plant backed by about 40 farmers on the Staffs/Shrops border area has finally secured all the £6.5m start-up capital and now only the signing of an electric purchase agreement can delay construction.

Eccleshall Biomass – that will supply sufficient electricity to power 2000 homes from a steam-power plant run on miscanthus (also known as elephant grass) grown on local farms – secured £935,000 from local regional development agency Advantage West Midlands late last week (May 26) to meet start-up capital costs.

The move will silence sceptics who believed the biomass project would not come to fruition, suggested John Braithwaite, chairman of farmer co-operative BiEcc that will supply biomass material to the plant.

“There were sceptics among the farming community three years ago when the idea was first hatched,” said Mr Braithwaite.

“We estimate that up to 1700ha of land in a 25-mile catchment area could be devoted to the crop.”

Planning permission for the power plant is already in place.

Based at Rayleigh Hall Industrial Estate, near Eccleshall, Staffs the project will use a steam-driven turbine developed by local energy systems manufacturer Talbott’s Heating.

The company will demonstrate similar models to farmers during a tour of regional agricultural shows including the Royal Show this summer.