The construction of an on-campus biomass power station is expected to cut the University of East Anglia's carbon emissions by up to a third.

The university hopes the £8-million investment will help it become the most sustainable campus in the UK.

Locally-sourced wood chips will be "cooked" to produce gas used to generate "clean electricity" for the campus.

The power station is expected to cut carbon emissions by one third after two years and as energy costs soar the university said it should have paid for itself within five years.

Vice-chancellor Bill Macmillan said: "As you would expect from a university with a world-renowned School of Environmental Sciences, we take our energy efficiency seriously and are committed to practising what we preach in tackling climate change."

Mr Macmillan has laid the first foundations for the scheme which is expected to be up and running at the Norwich-based university in a year.

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Paul Brennan, Head of Morgan Cole's Energy and Environment Team, comments:

The University's investment in major new biomass gasification plant is a significant step towards fulfilment of its environmental mission of becoming a leader in environmental management, and particularly carbon reduction, amongst UK Higher Education Establishments. There are also strong financial incentives for the decision: In addition to stabilising volatile energy costs, the plant will generate new sources of revenue. For instance, the emissions savings should stand the University in good stead for the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment, an emissions trading scheme targeted at large non-intensive energy users in the commercial and public sectors. The plant may also benefit from new incentives for heat production from renewable sources which are due to be announced shortly.

Morgan Cole provides specialist advice on all aspects of Energy and Environmental Law. Further advice and information on the Carbon Reduction Commitment and incentives for heat and electricity production from renewable sources can be obtained from Paul Brennan.