New energy plans unveiled as Barr Environmental think big
Waste management giant Barr Environmental has unveiled new plans for a state- of- the- art energy recovery park at its Killoch site.
The company is now inviting feedback on its proposals from the local community, ahead of submitting a planning application to East Ayrshire Council in the first part of 2021.
Barr already has planning consent for an energy- from- waste facility at the site, using gasification technology.
But the firm says it now wants to update the consent through a new planning application to make use of more energy efficient ‘ moving grate’ technology.
The proposed new facility would manage up to 166,000 tonnes of non- recyclable waste each year and generate enough electricity to meet the needs of around 40,000 homes.
The plans would enable Barr to create 17 new jobs and safeguard a further 60 which are already part of its existing operations.
Around 400 new construction jobs will be made available during the 30- month construction phase of the facility, with a significant number likely to be available to local businesses employing local workers.
Killoch ERP will also directly support the Scottish Government’s landfill diversion targets, which aim to reduce the amount of overall waste going to landfill to just five per cent by 2025.
Communities in East Ayrshire will also save at least 69,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
This is the same as removing more than 46,500 cars from the road.
Gavin Ramsey, managing director at Barr Environmental, said: “We already have planning permission for an energy- from- waste facility at our Killoch site but we need to update that permission so that we can create an even smarter and more sustainable way to manage the non- recyclable waste that’s being created by our homes and businesses.
“The Covid- 19 pandemic has sharpened our focus on the environment and the very real need to rebuild our economy.
“These new proposals respond to the Scottish Government’s environmental targets of stopping waste from going to landfill but they will also provide a real economic boost to the region in terms of the jobs we want to create and the investment we’ll be making.
“We’re proud of these plans and we want to share them with the local community so people can find out more and give us their views.”
The online consultation runs until January 20 and more information can be found at the project website www. killoch. com
To submit feedback email enquiries@ killoch. com or write to FREEPOST KILLOCH ERP.