Waste management firm SITA UK has today (August 26) set out its intention to improve its offering in energy from waste with the formation of a dedicated energy recovery division.
As our industry moves towards maximising value from the waste stream we need to focus more on the energy which can be recovered from waste
Gary Mayson, general manager, SITA Energy Solutions
The division, called SITA Energy Solutions, is set to be a 160-strong team formed in the wake of internal restructuring at the Maidenhead-based waste management firm.
The staff for the new division is drawn from across the company's UK energy operations and is set to focus on energy recovery, landfill gas operations and energy-related technologies.
The new division has already signed a 10-year deal with steel giant Corus UK to develop a landfill gas generation scheme at SITA's New Crosby Warren landfill site, which would be used to power the operations at Corus' adjacent Scunthorpe Steel Works.
The project with Corus has already received preliminary accreditation from Ofgem under the Renewables Obligation and is expected to generate 1.4MW of energy once it becomes operational in March 2011.
Formation of the dedicated energy recovery division comes two weeks after SITA's chief executive David Palmer-Jones voiced concerns about the number of planning applications for energy-from-waste facilities currently trapped in the planning process (see letsrecycle.com story).
Head
The new division is set to be headed up by Tim Otley, former head of SITA Power and the company's energy-from-waste operations on the Isle of Man, has been named head of energy solutions.
Mr Otley, who has 10 years experience in renewable energy projects, will be charged with the commercial activity of the division as well as overseeing management of the firm's existing landfill gas generation business.
Commenting on the work with Corus, Mr Otley said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Corus on the development of this renewable energy project. It is a great example of utilising a bi-product from the landfilling of waste to create green energy which is then supplied over a relatively short distance to an adjacent end user.”
Appointment
In addition to Mr Otley's appointment, Gary Mayson, former general manager for SITA UK in the North West, will be general manager of the division.
Mr Mayson, who trained as a civil engineer, was involved in the development of energy recovery facilities for SITA at Kirklees and on the Isle of Man and Teesside. In his new role, Mr Mayson will be general manager of SITA Energy Solutions and responsible for the firm's strategic directions.
Commenting on the creation of the division, Mr Mayson said: “As much as 17% of Britain's electricity needs could be met by recovering energy and heat from waste and the methane produced from landfill sites.
“As our industry moves towards maximising value from the waste stream we need to focus more on the energy which can be recovered from waste and in giving waste a ‘second life'.”
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