UK renewable energy generator Infinis Limited has revealed plans to acquire the entire issued share capital of Scottish BioPower Limited, as well as Scottish BioFuel Limited and other energy assets belonging to Scottish Resources Group. The acquisitions are part of Infinis's plans to become Europe's leading energy generator from purely renewable sources.
Infinis said that once the acquisitions of Scottish BioPower and Scottish BioFuel are complete, it hopes to develop in excess of 125MW of biomass power generation assets. The planning application for the first biomass power station at Westfield, Scotland was submitted in January 2007, and the outcome is expected shortly.
In addition, Infinis plans to develop in excess of 125MW of wind farms in central Scotland, subject to planning and regulatory approvals. The company also said that options have been taken over a further five possible sites, which will be considered for wind generation opportunities.
Scottish BioFuel is a fast growing supplier of biomass feedstock to the renewable energy sector and is pioneering the development of a supply chain in Scotland. As a result, Infinis believes that the acquisition will help it to secure sustainable sources of biomass feedstock for the proposed power plants. The feedstock will be sourced primarily from short rotation coppice willow, forestry waste and waste wood.
Infinis expects that, if the biomass and wind projects are developed, they will be capable of generating up to 1,250GWh of renewable electricity, enough to power up to 375,000 homes. The projects have the potential to reduce Scottish carbon emissions by 460,000 tonnes, the company said.