Helius to host public exhibitions as new plant develops

Biomass energy development company Helius Energy is to host five exhibitions as it aims to include local residents in plans for a proposed new biomass power station in Southampton, UK.

Helius want to build the £300 million, 100 MW wood-fired plant at the city’s Western docks and a 12-week consultation will begin on 14 May, including the five exhibitions in places like Millbrook, Marchwood and Freemantle.

The public will be able to influence and discuss which building design will be chosen to go forward for planning application and Helius thinks the development will create 100 new jobs.

However not all local residents are happy with the proposal, and especially with the way Helius has seemingly excluded them from information.

‘It is concerning that we learn of project developments through the media instead of from the company that is supposedly consulting directly with us,’ says No Southampton Biomass spokesperson Steven Galton.

‘It still feels Helius is working to their own agenda and the public they are meant to be consulting with are no more than an afterthought in the whole process.’