Industrial gases and equipment supplier Air Products has announced it is to build an energy-from-waste plant in Teesside, UK.
The Tees Valley plant, located at the New Energy and Technology Business Park near Billingham, Teesside, will be the first of its kind in the UK, and will use advanced gasification energy-from-waste (EfW) technology.
The plant will be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, with an approximate capacity of 50MW.
The plant, which is expected to produce enough renewable electricity to power up to 50,000 homes, is sited in a location with good access and connectivity to local and national electrical distribution infrastructure. It is also near to landfill disposal facilities, which will divert up to 350,000 metric tons of non-recyclable waste from landfill each year.
The plant is expected to create up to 700 construction jobs and over 50 permanent jobs once operational.
Air Products has secured the necessary environmental and planning approvals, with the facility scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2014. Work has already begun to prepare the site.
Commenting, John McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Air Products, said: "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.
"The UK is committed to diversifying its sources of energy, strengthening its energy security and reducing carbon emissions. This pioneering clean energy technology model is well-suited to these requirements, offering a sustainable solution to the UK's waste management strategy. The facility will also create skilled jobs in the area and we are hopeful it will provide an indirect boost to the local economy through the use of local service companies, hotels and other businesses."
Air Products, which is headquartered in Pennsylvania, the US, employs more than 18,000 people in over 40 countries, supplying innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets, including semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In its fiscal year 2011, Air Products reported sales of approximately $10 billion.
