The Environment Agency has awarded a full environmental permit to energy from waste business Energos to operate a small-scale advanced conversion technology (ACT) facility at Knowsley Industrial Park, Merseyside.
The 96,000 tonne a year facility will use the Energos gasification process, which was selected by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority to manage short-term treatment of residual waste.
It will generate 9MW of energy from processing residual waste and refuse derived fuel.
Environment Agency environment manager Steve Molyneux said: “We’ve carried out a thorough assessment of the application and consulted widely on the details. We’ve sought comments from other organisations, including Knowlsey Council, Knowsley NHS, the Health Protection Agency and local people.
“The Environment Agency is confident that the proposed facility will not harm human health or the environment.”
The first phase of work on the Energos Knowsley Energy Recovery Facility has been completed and the second phase of work is expected to start in 2013.
Energos managing director Nick Dawber said: “The facility could be completed by 2015. Despite the difficulties in the financial markets, we are making good process in securing finance for this £60 million project.
“This is an environmentally responsible, community-sized energy from waste solution that will ensure the diversion of biodegradable material from landfill. Our facilities generate renewable energy and displace the use of fossil fuels.”
