The 22MW facility at Tansterne will have the capacity to process up to 175,000 tonnes of waste wood each year, with 100% of the biomass feedstock coming from reclaimed wood supplied from the surrounding region.
It will produce enough energy to supply around 11,000 homes, according to a spokesman for the energy technology firm.
A contract to build the plant was initially placed with HRS Energy in September 2015 before planning consent was granted in January. And, due to the “compact and modular design” the plant will be “quickly constructed and operational by the end of March 2017”.
HRS Energy claims the project will bring £35 million investment to the area and secure the long-term future of 100 skilled manufacturing jobs, as well as creating up to 80 additional jobs for local suppliers.
Technology
The “pioneering” technology developed by the HRS Energy for the facility will also be manufactured in Hull and the announcement has received the backing of local MP Karl Turner.
A “unique fluidised bed combustion and heat recovery system” will burn biomass “more effectively than comparable methods”, HRS Energy said, and the technology has reportedly received a high level of interest from companies in the USA and Mexico.
The firm also claims the plant will make a “significant contribution” to reducing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is the first of a number of projects in the pipeline for HRS Energy both within the UK and abroad.
HRS Energy
Managing director of HRS Energy, Mark Wickham, said: “We are delighted to be part of this project and thank Karl Turner for joining us to make this announcement which showcases the region’s innovation skills and manufacturing expertise.
“HRS Energy’s pioneering technology is the best available for this development, delivering cost and efficiency benefits while producing low levels of emissions. Thanks to our efficient standardised modular design, the plant will be operational and generating electricity for homes and businesses in just over a year.
“We are looking forward to building on this success, and developing our market-leading technology for projects across the country and worldwide.”
Karl Turner, MP for Hull East, added: “It is great that we have yet more investment being made in East Hull. These highly skilled manufacturing jobs are further good news for the area and build on Hull’s reputation as a world leader in providing clean energy.”
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