KENT NEWS: A new power plant could be built at a docks that would help dispose of 160,000 tonnes of wood and waste every year.
Initial plans for a biomass combined heat and power plant have been submitted to Kent County Council by Biomass Power Plant Ridham Ltd, a joint venture formed by German energy firm subsidiary Evonik New Energies and renewable energy specialist HES Biopower.
The 25MW of power, plus 35MW of steam heat, will be produced by the plant proposed for industrial land at Ridham Dock, Sittingbourne, to convert non-recyclable waste wood to energy in the form of heat, and electricity which will be fed to the national grid.
The companies say such power plants will help eliminate the waste of more than six million tonnes of non-recycleable wood that is produced in the UK every year and ends up in landfill.
The Government is also keen to stop the dumping of waste that could be turned into energy and has been increasing the cost of landfill tax, along with the requirement to pre-treat all waste wood destined for landfill, which also adds to the cost of disposal.
Evonik said it was becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to handle non-recyclable waste wood.
Dealing with such waste is a big issue for the South East, with Kent alone generating more than 100,000 tonnes each year.
The Government also has a 15 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.
Evonik said the plant would be a significant investment with up to 30 permanent jobs at the site, as well as temporary jobs during construction and long-term contract work for services and materials.
Potential heat partnerships with businesses would also contribute to long-term economic development in the region. Evonik said it intended to be a “good neighbour”.
Juergen Kirsch, Evonik project manager, said: “This is an exciting development in supporting the area’s landfill diversion and renewable energy targets.”
Douglas Henderson, a director of the project, said they had already received positive feedback from consultations and were nowprepared for the possibility of a long planning procedure.
The company was confident it wouldn’t have to go before a Government inspector and the matter could be settled locally.
Mr Henderson added: “I hope it won’t be called in – it shouldn’t be.”
KCC confirmed receipt of a planning application.
POSTED: 19/06/2010 13:00:00
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