The proposal concerns delivery of an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) on Hownsgill ‘Eco’ Park and will enable the energy recovery of valuable materials that would otherwise go to landfill or be exported to mainland Europe.
The £25 million project will deliver a small scale 60,000 tonnes per annum ERF which will divert ‘residual’ RDF from landfill and contribute to local energy supply and security.
Fuel for the new ERF will be in the form of Refuse Derive Fuel (RDF) which would have otherwise been sent to landfill or abroad to generate power. As a true multifuel system the plant could also easily receive woodchip should this ever be required in future. The fuel will be processed to an agreed specification off-site at licensed ‘treatment and transfer’ facilities within a 15 mile radius of Consett and transported to the ERF. All delivered fuel will be stored inside the building prior to use.
Using advanced technology the site will generate 3.5 MW electric / 15 MW thermal (heat) or combination thereof which would be used to provide heat and power via a local smart grid network to users on Hownsgill ‘Eco’ Park as well as the newly planned ‘Health and Well-being site’ due to be developed on Derwent View (Note 1) to the north of the site. The ERF will provide power for a range of local commercial and industrial properties on and adjacent to the Hownsgill site, as well as offer renewable energy to thousands of local domestic customers.
The new plant will also be connected to the National Power Grid via an underground connection to Consett Primary Sub-station. This will enable any surplus power to be supplied to the National Grid and will ensure security of supply to the Hownsgill site. The site also has the potential to support Electric Vehicle charging of cars, lorries and buses.
(Note 1) : The Derwent View site, immediately north-east of the Hownsgill Eco-Park site has been granted outline planning permission for a variety of ‘health & well being’ related uses.
It is proposed the site will contain a new health facility, gymnasium & fitness centre, a retirement care village, aged persons extra care facility as well as a hotel and associated leisure uses. It is intended that some of these developments will receive both power and heat from the new ERF Facility on Hownsgill ‘Eco’ Park.
The Hownsgill Facility will be one of the most modern facilities of its type in the UK, operating under strict environmental controls under a permit administered by the Environment Agency.
Supporting at least 85 jobs during construction, including a range of professional, skilled and entry-level roles and apprenticeships and will work in partnership with Derwentside College in delivering these.
Operationally, the ERF will support 12 new full-time jobs and secure an additional 25 in the supply chain and maintenance, boosting the local economy by over £2 million a year.
The project will deliver a robust package of community benefits focussed on employment and training, support for local business and education.
The Hownsgill Eco Park education centre adjacent to the ERF will allow schools, colleges and local community groups to learn about sustainable energy recovery, waste management and renewable technologies.
Utilisation of Local RDF to produce Low Carbon, Low Cost, Sustainable Energy.
The project takes a Scandinavian approach in that it is:
- Ambitious about recycling
- Remove plastics from residual waste
- Halts shipping residual waste abroad
- Uses RDF for domestic low carbon heat, electricity, or synthetic fuels
- Minimises waste going to landfill in the UK
This local Investment into Energy Recovery infrastructure, reduces transport of materials and produces energy, heat and power for use in homes and businesses throughout the local area.
This local energy approach will unlock economic, environmental and social benefits across the community
“Host have developed the capability to integrate Carbon Capture into their plants, and that could be an option here”
James Parry,
Bio Global Industries
“Have your say: We would like to get your views on the proposed development before making our planning application to Durham County Council. We therefore invite you to attend a webpage consultation at www.enzygo.com/consultations/consett-energy-recovery-facility from Friday 4th September 2020 until submission of the planning application, to see the plans for the proposed development, ask any questions and give us your feedback.
Please ensure all feedback is emailed to charlotte.mapanga@enzygo.com or lee.searles@enzygo.com prior to submission of the planning application. Thank you.”
23 Comments