The plant will be built in Staffordshire and is expected to be able to supply around 2000 homes with electricity by burning locally grown elephant grass.

The plant is part of the British government’s drive to combat carbon emissions, the elephant grass only producing carbon dioxide emissions equal to that soaked up when growing as it is when burned.

The plant will operate for 8000 hours per year and is projected to save one tonne of carbon dioxide per hour when compared with using a fossil fuel power source.

The plant will also provide a boost to farmers in the area, with the demand for elephant grass allowing them to diversify their crops to supply the Staffordshire plant and other planned developments.