THE company behind Teesside’s newest biofuels plant yesterday announced plans to create a second site on Tyneside, in a move that could create more than 1,000 jobs

MGT Power unveiled plans for a £400m project on land in North Shields, which would create a 295 megawatt biomass plant that could power 600,000 North-East homes.

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The London-based company was last month given official approval for a £500m scheme at Teesport to build one of the world’s largest wood-burning renewable energy plants, in a project that could create up to 750 jobs.

Plans for the new biomass plant, which would be built on the banks of the River Tyne, on Port of Tyneowned land, were yesterday hailed by business leaders as being a massive boost for the region.

Andrew Sugden, director of membership and policy at the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is fantastic news and adds to the North-East’s growing reputation as an international centre for renewable energy.

“MGT’s plans for a facility at Teesport are already well advanced and a similar plant at the Port of Tyne is a significant investment that will be of great benefit to the regional economy.”

Linda Arkley, Mayor of North Tyneside welcomed the plans, to be submitted to the council for approval in the coming weeks.

Chris Moore, director of MGT, said: “We see the Tyne project as not only a major green power project for the UK, but one that will contribute positively to the local area and the North-East economy, primarily in terms of local investment and employment.”