Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC) has begun construction on a new £140m biomass, renewable energy plant in Kent.

Above: The Discovery Park biomass plant

The Danish contractor is building the plant on Discovery Park in Sandwich. Construction is scheduled to take two years, creating 300 jobs during its construction phase.

It will eventually produce all the power and heat requirements for the science and technology park. Biomass fuel will be sourced from various wood types, including coppice grown locally in Kent and East Sussex.

Discovery Park managing director Paul Barber said: “Discovery Park has from the start been a place for innovation and we have been successful in building on that past success over the past four years.

“The agreement to press ahead with the new biomass energy plant, not only represents a major investment in the site, but puts the park in the unique position of being supplied with a reliable source of green energy.

“The new biomass plant, is a vital part of ensuring the site’s ongoing success – part of a number of investments and ongoing work that will not only create jobs and prosperity for East Kent but increases its sustainability too.”

The start of work on the new biomass plant coincides with a step up in activity on site with Instro Precision’s 46,000 sq ft new manufacturing plant taking shape over the coming months ahead of a January 2017 launch.

Works on the west site development land have also begun with a new 20,000 sq ft unit for specialist timber frame company, OFP Timber Framed Homes.