Green Light for U.K. Energy-From-Waste Plant

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- A controversial new 60-megawatt (MW) energy from waste (EfW) facility in Cheshire, England, has been given the green light by the U.K. government.

The proposed development at Lostock, Northwich, will generate enough power to supply 80,000 homes and create around 500 jobs during its construction as well as 50 permanent jobs, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The plant is being developed by Tata Chemicals Europe [formerly Brunner Mond] which is located nearby, and a subsidiary of German energy company, E.ON AG (PINK:EONGY) (Dusseldorf, Germany), called E.ON Energy from Waste (EEW).

The plant will burn pre-treated, non-recyclable Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to generate heat in the form of steam and electricity, with the steam providing up to a third of Tata Chemicals' heating needs. Construction is set to start next year and when it is commissioned in 2016, it will be capable of processing up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish annually.

"It is essential we have a balanced energy mix in the future to provide low cost, efficient energy to households and businesses," said a DECC spokesman. "This plant takes waste and turns it into something of great value -- enough power to supply 80,000 homes - and in addition creates jobs for the local community."

Nader Bahri, EEW director, told the press: "This decision is a milestone for EEW in the U.K. as it is our second U.K. plant to be granted planning consent. As a result, many tonnes of waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill could now be used to create sustainable energy."

Permission for the plant was originally denied by local councils. DECC's decision to overrule the local authorities followed on from a five week public inquiry into the proposed plant.

According to DECC: "A full and detailed public inquiry recommended that consent for the station be granted after hearing evidence about all aspects of the proposed development, including its potential health and visual impacts as well the implications for traffic safety and the local environment".

The decision has been condemned by the campaign group, Cheshire Anti Incinerator Network (CHAIN).

Brian Cartwright, Chairman of CHAIN, commented: "This news is devastating for those who live in Northwich and the surrounding area particularly because the Government has clearly not listened to the people who are united in their opposition to the incinerator proposal."

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