CONSTRUCTION of an £8 million energy plant in North Yorkshire could soon get underway following completion of a deal for a development site at a former coal mine.

Precision Diesel Enterprises has signed a 25-year lease at Gascoigne Wood Business Park, Selby, where it plans to construct a short term operating reserve electricity generation plant.

Law firm Emms Gilmore Liberson (EGL), working on behalf of Precision Diesel Enterprises, announced the firm has completed the lease and work is expected to commence shortly on the site, owned by Harworth Estates Investments Limited.

Beth Margetson of EGL, said: “We are pleased this project is moving forwards at a time when investment in Gascoigne Wood Business Park is creating a vibrant business area.”

The four-engine plant will provide electricity into the National Grid at times when demand for power is at its highest. It is expected to be operational by the end of October.

Peter Todd, director at Precision Diesel Enterprises Ltd, said: “Securing a satisfactory lease on the land was an important milestone for this project and places us on course to meet our planned generation date.

“Our aim is to provide generation support to the national grid system at times of peak demand and when input from new renewable sources such as wind and solar are less effective.”