Work is nearing completion on the first phase of the new £100m biomass terminal at the Port of Liverpool, which will eventually handle 3m tonnes of wood pellets a year as part of the decarbonisation of Drax Power Station.

Liverpool Riverside Labour MP, Louise Ellman, visited the site to inspect the project, which will connect one of the busiest ports in the north to the UK’s single largest generator of renewable power.

The first phase of the new terminal, which will create 47 permanent jobs at the Port of Liverpool, will open in October when four trains a day begin carrying wood pellets to Drax.

Ms Ellman, chair of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, met with senior representatives from Peel Ports and Drax Group, to find out more about the project which proves the importance of east west connectivity across the north of England.

The wood pellets – to be shipped to Liverpool from North America – are a by-product of the commercial forestry and saw-milling industry and will provide the Selby-based power station with a sustainable and affordable low carbon fuel source.

Drax’s gradual conversion to biomass, which generates carbon savings of around 86% compared to coal, is a key part of the UK’s efforts to meet its 2020 renewable targets whilst keeping energy costs down for businesses and consumers. The power station is the largest decarbonisation project in Europe and accounted for 12.3% of the UK’s renewable power last year.

All of the wood pellets arriving at the Port of Liverpool will be sent to Drax by rail, ensuring there is no impact on the local road network. Up to 10 train loads of pellets will travel to the power station every day in custom-made biomass rail wagons once the terminal is fully completed in 2016.

Ms Ellman said: “This project must be supported as part of The Northern Powerhouse. It will bring great benefits to Liverpool, including innovation, jobs and new trade opportunities.”