A biomass plant that will generate enough electricity to power 65,000 homes has started operation in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

The 38MW straw-fired facility will also provide free heat to local sports clubs and community facilities and save around 230,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Joost Bergsma, Managing Partner of renewable energy investor Glennmont, which bought 100% of the equity in the project in December 2011 believes Sleaford is a landmark deal not only for the company “but for the UK biomass industry as a whole”.

The plant was built by a consortium Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor and Burmeister and Wain Energy.

Glennmont currently manages a portfolio of more than 300MW of biomass, wind and solar power in France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and the UK.