ABB wins HV electrical contract for E.ON’s biomass energy project in Sheffield

ABB has been awarded a major contract by energy company E.ON to supply the HV installation for a biomass-fired renewable energy plant under construction at Blackburn Meadows, near Sheffield.

The £120m renewable energy plant will be set near the site of the old Tinsley Towers, adjacent to Meadowhall, and when operational (in mid-2014) will generate up to 30 MW, enough to power 40,000 homes, by converting recycled waste wood into electricity.

As part of the turnkey electrical balance of plant (EBoP) solution for the Blackburn Meadows power plant, ABB will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of a fully complete HV installation associated with the safe and reliable delivery of electrical power generated by the steam into the local grid. Key products to be supplied include an 11/33 kV 40 MVA Generator Step Up (GSU) transformer and Station Auxiliary transformers, 33 kV GIS switchboard and the associated protection and control equipment including the site SCADA system that will interface with DCS systems.

“The Blackburn Meadows project represents a very significant breakthrough for ABB within the UK’s biomass sector”, said Tony Rooney, head of ABB’s UK Power Generation business.  “Our system integration experience has enabled ABB to establish a global reputation as a key supplier of HV Power plant projects for a wide variety of plant types, such as oil & gas fired combined cycle power plants, coal fired boiler power plants and hydro power plants.  We’re delighted to have this opportunity to demonstrate our capability in renewable energy plant with this high profile project for E.ON, especially as Blackburn Meadows is set to lead the way in the development of biomass power stations that could form an important part of the UK’s low carbon solution.”