E.ON plans 150-MW biomass power plant in UK

LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - E.ON UK EONG.DE plans to build a 150 megawatt wood-burning power station in southwest England at a cost of about 300 million pounds ($558.3 million), the German-owned utility said on Tuesday.

The proposed Portbury Dock Renewable Energy Plant in Bristol should generate enough power for over 200,000 homes from 2014.

"Schemes such as this, together with cleaner coal, gas and new nuclear, will help us to keep the UK's lights on, while also reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy is as affordable as possible for our customers," Chief Executive of E.ON UK, Paul Golby, said.

E.ON has approached North Somerset Council and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) about building the plant and hopes to submit a full application to BERR in mid 2009.

If approved, building work would begin in 2010, with full commercial operation expected in 2014. (Reporting by Daniel Fineren)