Estuary site earmarked for waste-to-jet-fuel plant

THE UK’S first commercial scale waste-to-jet-fuel plant looks set to be built on the banks of the Humber estuary in another boost in the region’s ambitions to be a leader in the field of green energy.

The plant, earmarked for a site at Immingham, will take hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year of household waste, which would be otherwise landfilled or incinerated, and convert it into “clean-burning” fuel. An option on the 80-acre site, which is in an Enterprise Zone and earmarked for industrial development, has been secured by a renewable fuels company, Velocys.

Chief executive Henrik Wareborn said: “Immingham and the surrounding Energy Estuary area is renowned for fuels production expertise and has a skilled local workforce that can help deliver the UK’s first commercial scale waste-to-jet-fuel plant.

“We look forward to engaging with North East Lincolnshire Council and the rest of the local community as we move into the planning phase next year.”

Project partners include British Airways which intends to use the fuel, that is due to deliver an over 70 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 90 per cent less particulates compared to conventional fuel.

Shell is also supporting the project, which also has the backing of the Department for Transport, with technical expertise.

Plans are expected to be submitted next year.