Greentech Lead Europe: Air Products, a provider of
atmospheric, process and specialty gases, announced it will build and operate a
50MW gasification energy-from-waste (EfW) plant at the New Energy and
Technology Business Park, Teesside, U.K. The Tees Valley plant will be the
first of its kind in the UK, and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.
The plant will divert up to 350,000 metric tons of
non-recyclable waste from the landfill per year – helping to meet the U.K’s
waste diversion targets. The plant is expected to produce renewable electricity
to power up to 50,000 homes and create up to 700 construction jobs and over 50
permanent jobs.
“Our investment in advanced gasification EfW
technology is a natural extension of our onsite business model. Offering an
innovative growth opportunity, it allows us to further extend our leading
position in the global energy market and continue to deliver on Air Products’
commitment to sustainability,” said John McGlade, chairman, president and
chief executive officer of Air Products.
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The plant will utilize Westinghouse advanced
gasification technology provided by AlterNRG. It offers a more
efficient, cleaner conversion of waste-to-power than traditional EfW
technologies and has the potential to generate a wider range of useful
products, including heat, hydrogen, chemicals and fuels. Longer term, the
potential generation of renewable hydrogen could be deployed for commercial
use, such as fuelling public transport.
Air Products has secured the necessary environmental and
planning approvals and the renewable energy facility is scheduled to enter
commercial operation in 2014. Work has already begun to prepare the site.
Full-scale construction activities will begin ramping up in the coming weeks.
“Advanced gasification has a key role to play in
delivering renewable energy and I warmly welcome the decision by Air Products
to proceed with its Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility. Air Products’
announcement reflects the UK’s commitment and support for clean energy,
combined with our stable and transparent environment for investors,” said
Nick Clegg, UK deputy prime minister.
editor@greentechlead.com