Billingham rubbish to energy plant brings jobs boost
- Published
The plant will be built at New Energy and Technology Business Park
A factory which will turn landfill waste into renewable energy is set to bring hundreds of jobs to Teesside.
Air Products has been granted planning permission for the plant at a Billingham business park.
The firm said it will result in the creation of up to 700 building jobs, and 50 permanent ones when it is running by 2014.
The site will convert waste into hydrogen gas, and generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.
Councillor Michael Smith, cabinet member for regeneration and transport at Stockton Council said: "The Air Products' scheme is another significant step forward in strengthening Stockton's economy.
"It ticks a number of significant boxes for Stockton and the Tees Valley: renewable energy, landfill reduction, new long-term jobs and the re-use of industrial land."
Ian Williamson, from Air Products said: "Our facility will be using the latest and most advanced gasification technology from AlterNRG to generate renewable power and at the same time, contribute towards Stockton Council's environment, energy and economic investment objectives."
"The UK is seeking more sustainable ways to manage and dispose of its waste, and is looking to diversify its sources of electricity generation, our technology is able to deliver on both counts."