Green light for multi-million pound energy from waste plant
An £85million Energy from Waste (EfW) gasification plant at Bombardier Aerospace has been given the go ahead. The Article 31 planning application, lodged in December 2012, was of such a scale that it required ministerial approval and this was granted today by Environment Minister Mark Durkan. The proposed power plant will secure more competitive and sustainable energy for Bombardier and help ensure it continues to operate successfully in global markets.
The site, adjacent to the Bombardier wing facility within the Belfast Harbour Estate, will convert 120,000 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) comprising non recyclable fractions of commercial and industrial (C&I) waste per annum into electricity and heat. This is through the gasification process which heats the waste to produce a synthetic gas fuel which in turn is used to produce steam which creates electricity.
Minister Durkan said: “This is good news for Bombardier’s workforce of 6,000. The new plant will help Bombardier to reduce electricity costs, maintain its competiveness within international markets and safeguard employment. The facility will also provide a boost for the local economy creating up to 130 construction jobs in the short term and around 20 permanent skilled jobs once completed.”
