Planning Submitted for New Green Power Plant
30 March 2010
The development, led by Bioflame will result in the construction of a small-scale renewable energy generation facility within a purpose built building adjacent to Country Waste Recycling’s existing site at Beddington Lane in the London Borough of Sutton
Bioflame announce the submission of an application to the London Borough of Sutton by Beddington Heat & Power for the necessary planning permission for the development to commence. The following information was submitted in addition to the planning application to demonstrate there will be no negative impacts associated with the development: Detailed Air Quality and Noise impact Assessments, Land Contamination Statement, Flood Risk Plan, Sustainable Design and Construction Statement, Odour Statement, Traffic Statement and a Biodiversity, Nature Conservation and Ecology Study. A decision by the London Borough of Sutton is expected in June 2010 and with a 14 month expected build program, the development will be exporting electricity to the National Grid by autumn 2012. The development represents a private investment of approximately £7 million into the local area which will provide a renewable, reliable, safe and local electricity supply as well as creating long-term employment opportunities to the local area.
Instead of being put in landfill, waste wood already being handled on the adjacent waste management facility will be shredded and then thermally treated in the small-scale biomass power plant. Energy produced during this process will then pass through a steam boiler and into a turbine, which will produce 20,000 MWh of clean renewable electricity per annum. The patented Bioflame partial gasification technology will be controlled and monitored under an Environmental Permit by the Environment Agency and will perform at all times to EU pollution control regulations.
This electricity will then be fed back into the National Grid, providing enough power for over 6,300 homes.
The new facility at Beddington Lane will complement the existing recycling activities taking place adjacent to the site and by recovering energy from material normally sent to landfill, will eliminate over 3,400 heavy goods vehicle trips from the local road network every year.
Alex Thornton, New Business Manager at Bioflame, said: "This development will contribute significantly towards the region's binding obligation to ensure 20% of all electricity generated by 2020 comes from renewable sources. In addition, it will save nearly 9,000 tonnes of CO₂ per annum by reducing the regions dependence on fossil fuel derived energy and by diverting 30,000 tonnes of biodegradable wood from landfill each year. Using proven technology recognised by the Environment Agency as Best Available Technique and accredited to claim Renewable Obligation Certificates by Ofgem makes this project a win win situation both environmentally and economically."