From left, Ray Tucker and Keith Plant with the switchgrass biomass crop. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
AN ECO-friendly power plant fuelled by crops could soon be built at Calbourne, if it is given the green light by planners.
Elm Farm owner Keith Plant has submitted an application to build a biomass generator on his land, producing around 100kw of electricity and up to 200kw of heat from fuels including wood chips, wood pellets and specialised renewable crops grown on the farm, such as switchgrass and reed canary grass.
The generator would produce far less carbon dioxide than a plant powered by fossil fuels and the resulting energy would be used to power the farm, with any surplus going to the National Grid.
Mr Plant’s business partner, Ray Tucker, an agricultural expert and former campaign manager of The Wight Against Rural Turbines (ThWART), said a biomass generator would be far preferable to wind turbines as a source of green energy.
"What we have with these crops is a carbon-neutral fuel. The plants will absorb carbon dioxide while they grow, before dying back in the winter and being harvested in April," he said.
"As far as we know, this is the only place on the Island these plants are grown. Also, they last for more than 20 years and don’t require cultivation, saving even more energy."
Mr Tucker said the scheme would boost the Isle of Wight’s green credentials, reflecting the Isle of Wight Council’s Eco-Island vision.
"Wind farm campaigns can be very polarising, so it’s important to look at other options. Biomass energy is an obvious choice and this would be a practical and financial demonstration of how it can be competitive."
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk