IEC Biomass & CHP Facility – Completed

SB4 Construction are pleased to announce the completion of a bespoke biomass and combined heat and power (CHP) facility for IEC, forming a key part of an integrated and self-sustaining energy solution across a working agricultural site. This project was delivered in close collaboration with IEC Energy, the specialist energy consultants responsible for the design and installation of the mechanical and electrical equipment — bringing together construction expertise and energy engineering to deliver a truly turnkey solution.

How It Works

The facility operates using locally grown miscanthus, cultivated on the surrounding farmland, as its primary fuel source. Miscanthus is a fast-growing energy crop that sequesters carbon during growth, making it one of the most environmentally responsible biomass fuels available. By sourcing fuel directly from the surrounding fields, the system eliminates lengthy supply chains, significantly reduces transport emissions, and keeps the energy cycle as local and efficient as possible.

The biomass unit works in conjunction with a CHP system, simultaneously generating both heat and electricity from a single fuel source — a highly efficient process that maximises the energy extracted from every tonne of miscanthus harvested.

Powering the Site

The combined output of the biomass and CHP unit contributes heat and power directly to 8 poultry units on site, supporting the precise environmental controls that modern poultry farming demands. Maintaining consistent temperature and air quality across poultry housing is critical to both animal welfare and operational efficiency — and this system delivers that reliably, whilst dramatically reducing the site’s dependence on grid energy and fossil fuels.

A Genuinely Sustainable Solution

What makes this project particularly noteworthy is the closed-loop nature of the energy system. The fuel is grown on site, processed on site, and the energy is consumed on site — a genuinely circular approach to agricultural energy that sets a strong example for sustainable farming practices. The collaboration between SB4 Construction and IEC Energy has resulted in a facility that seamlessly integrates the building infrastructure with the energy systems within it, delivering a cohesive and high-performing end result.

SB4 Construction are proud to have played our part in delivering a facility that contributes not only to the operational efficiency of IEC’s poultry operation, but to a broader commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of UK agriculture.