The energy company will finance, build and operate the plant. The two-year construction phase of the CHP plant is due to start this year. The facility is planned for commission in 2021.
Once complete, the plant will have an electrical capacity of circa 75MW, generating steam and power for DS Smith’s production processes on site. Some 830kT of paper is manufactured at the mill every year.
Colin McIntyre, CEO for DS Smith Paper and Recycling Divisions, commented: “Embracing world-leading innovation to minimise our environmental impact is a key corporate goal for DS Smith. Partnering with E.ON to develop a state-of-the-art solution to meet our long-term energy requirements is a vital element to achieve this ambition and we expect to see a 36,000 tonnes per year carbon reduction from improved efficiency at the new facility.
According to the company’s public consultation documents, the plant would include a gas turbine of around 57 MW nominal power output, a heat recovery steam generator producing in the region of 105 to 110 MWth steam and a steam turbine, producing in the region of 16MW of electrical power.
More details about its plans are available on a consultation website, at left.