Pioneering Energy from Waste Plant Proposed in Doncaster

Plans have been revealed for a new world pioneering £200 million energy from waste plant in Doncaster that is set to revolutionise the way that we process waste in the UK.  It will also bring around 220 much needed jobs for the region and become the catalyst for the regeneration of around 500 acres of largely disused land. 

The Doncaster Energy from Waste Project (The DEW Project) is a major private initiative that proposes to combine tried and tested technologies from different parts of the world to deliver the first ever facility of its kind that can collectively process waste, improve recycling output and also deliver over 30MW of the greenest possible energy.

It responds directly to the Government ‘Renewable Energy Strategy’ working document which highlights energy from waste as a key contributor to achieving targets for a low carbon energy future.  For the UK to meet its share of the EU2020 renewable energy target an analysis suggest that such processes will need to provide around 30% of the country’s renewable electricity and heat generation.

Heralded as the most environmentally friendly way to eliminate rubbish, which is fast becoming a major problem nationwide with increasing costs to councils and tax payers for landfill, The DEW Project will provide almost 100% diversion from landfill. Furthermore, it can take segregated and non segregated waste from households and commercial operations so that kerbside collected material will be properly recycled.

The technology incorporates a sorting process whereby all potential recyclable materials, such as glass, plastics and metals, can be treated and fed into an adjacent Eco-Park that will transform them into marketable products.  It is able to generate the highest possible output of recycled material – including waste that, until now, has been very difficult to process, such as bottles with corks in them and shredded paper. 

The DEW Project also includes a series of processes that makes use of the non recyclable waste.  After a steam treatment of this waste, the recovery process produces a fibre that is used in boilers to produce green energy which is then fed into the National Grid to make the Doncaster area a green energy zone. Because of the high purity level of the fibre (over 90%) and the steam recovery, the process qualifies for carbon credits given by the government for only the highest environmentally friendly and energy efficient processes.

This groundbreaking project is a partnership between regional regeneration expert and land owner Waystone Ltd, a leading energy from waste innovator AvVail Ltd and a major energy company. The partnership is proposing to deliver the DEW Project adjacent to the working colliery in the Stainforth, Hatfield and Dunscroft area, putting Doncaster on the map for the most environmentally friendly energy from waste process possible.

Professor Markus Vinzent, Director of AvVail Ltd comments, “After years of research and close University-Industry co-operation, we are delighted to bring this project to Doncaster. The process is the world’s greenest solution to processing waste and delivers against the Government strategy to reduce overall waste and maximise recycling. When the plant is operational we expect to employ approximately 220 people with jobs ranging from management to semi skilled. We have also pledged to donate a percentage of funds generated from the plant into a ‘Community Fund’ that is used to support local services, plant over a quarter of a million trees and provide a thriving place to live, work and play.” 

Stuart McLoughlin, Managing Director for Waystone Ltd that owns the site where the facility is proposed, comments, “The DEW Project will be the catalyst for much broader regeneration for the wider area and opens up some exciting prospects. We are already planning a new Power Park on the adjacent site and have recently secured planning permission to build a new link road connecting it directly to the M18.   The DEW Project will also greatly assist with our proposed 500 berth off-line marina on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal which received public support some time ago.”

Extensive land and waterscaping is also being facilitated by the DEW Project.

A comprehensive public consultation programme will take place from 12th March with a brochure door drop to all local households and a series of presentations in the immediate Stainforth, Dunscroft and Hatfield areas. Interested parties are also invited to learn more and provide comments about the project by visiting www.dew.uk.net.

Issues such as environmental impact have been addressed and comments will be evaluated for public information.

The development partnership intends to submit the first phase planning application at the end of March 2009 and, subject to gaining consent, hopes to start construction in late 2009 so that the facility can be ready for commercial operation by late 2011.

For further information please contact:
Louise French/ Dee Goldstraw
French PR
0113 242 4999
louise@frenchpr.co.uk
dee@frenchpr.co.uk