Construction has begun on a £118 million Biomass facility in Sittingbourne, Kent with the idea that it will eventually generate up to 188 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year and heating energy for nearby industries. Biomass is organic matter (such as waste wood, plant materials and animal derivitives) that is processed to allow it to become used for electricity, fuel and heating purposes. A renewable source of energy, it has been used in various forms over thousands of years. This new facility is set to included the most state-of-the art technologies and have a high energy efficiency rating when it opens in 2015. Plans for similar facilities in Cheshire and Manchester are currently being discussed.