Based near Billingham, the Tees Valley 2 (TV2) facility was destined to process 350,000 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel per year when it opened in 2016.
The plant secured planning permission from Stockton-on-Tees borough council in July 2013 with a ground breaking ceremony to mark construction in spring last year (see letsrecycle.com story).
The plant is currently contracted to provide power on behalf of the government’s Energy for Growth programme over a 20-year fixed period.
TV1
Practically identical to the adjacent TV1 facility, it is proposed that TV2 would convert pre-processed municipal and commercial and industrial waste and convert it into synthetic gas using plasma gasification technology designed by Canada-based specialist AlterNRG.
But following delays to the start-up commissioning process at TV1, Air Products has taken a ‘prudent approach’ to suspend TV2 while it finishes work on the original plant.
The TV1 gasification plant was originally due to begin fully processing RDF in mid-2014 – a timetable that was later pushed back to late 2015 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Air Products has now conceded that the plant will not be fully operational until 2016.
‘Temporary’
A spokeswoman for the company said: “In terms of the suspension, we have not yet determined a timetable. I would stress though, this is suspension is temporary and we remain focussed on completing both facilities as soon as possible.
“Essentially we’re taking a prudent approach by suspending at this point, so that we can fully leverage the learnings from TV1 and apply them in the most economical manner when we resume TV2 activity. This eliminates the level of rework that is required when building both projects in parallel.”
Some 700 workers involved in the construction of the TV2 plant are expected to be affected by Air Products’ decision, in a region already reeling from closures at the SSI Redcar steel mill last month.
Commenting on the announcement, Stockton-on-Tees borough council leader Bob Cook said he would be meeting with Air Products to “establish the full facts” at a “very worrying time”.
He said: “We will work closely with our neighbouring local authorities and other organisations to provide effective and appropriate support to the contractors affected and their families.
“The Tees Valley local authorities have a proven track record of working together in situations like this and together we will make sure that support can be easily accessed and identified.”
Impetus
Air Products has contracted Impetus Waste Management to supply the throughput for both TV1 and TV2 plants, totalling an estimated 700,000 tonnes of pre-processed waste per year.
The municipal waste stream will largely derive from Impetus’ 10-year contract with Hull city council which began in April 2015 as part of a combined procurement between Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, Impetus was not available for comment.
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