Environmental and socioeconomic aspects in the strategic analysis of a biomass power plant integration

The aim of the work was to assess the potential weaknesses and threats of t he integration of a biomass power plant proposed in a depressed area of Spa in as well as to analyse the inherent strengths and opportunities that such a project could have in economic, technical or environmental terms. For th is purpose an analysis of site, biomass resources, problems associated to f uel mix combustion, electricity production and connection were assessed. Th e socioeconomic (employment, GDP effects or tax revenue impact) and environ mental (human health, soil erosion, fertiliser application) outcomes associ ated with the proposed biomass scheme have been evaluated. Finally, a list of actions to take into account for successful implementation of this propo sed project has been defined. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.