Tilbury biomass fire proves handling risks

Essex deputy chief fire officer Adam Eckley described the blaze as one of the largest the service had ever encountered. At its peak, 120 firefighters were onsite. According to Mr Eckley, early indications suggested the fire may have started in a conveyor belt above the hoppers.

RWE has invested millions of pounds in converting the power station, situated alongside the River Thames, from coal-fired to a facility 100% fuelled by wood pellets and tall oil, a by-product of wood pulp manufacture, to deliver 750 MW of green power.

The power station had been heading for closure in 2015 under EU environmental regulations – the switch to 100% biomass, a world first, is designed to reduce CO2 emissions by 80%.

Generating with biomass began in December 2011. Power station manager Nigel Staves described the fire damage as ‘severe, but limited’ and said he hoped the plant would be back generating soon.