Energy Works selects joint venture to build pioneering power plant

The £150m green energy power plant is to be the first of its kind in UK

Spencer Group and MWH Treatment, part of the US-based MWH Global, have combined to win preferred bidder status for the Energy Works development in Hull, which will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Energy Works named the joint venture as preferred bidder to deliver the first phase of the development, with construction due to begin early in 2015 and completion scheduled for March 2017.

The selection of preferred bidder follows a competitive process complying with European Union procurement regulations.

Phase one of the development will be an energy recovery facility that is predicted to generate 28MW of electricity by an advanced gasification process. The fluidised bed gasification plant, will heat approximately 200,000 tonnes a year of refined materials to produce a synthesis gas, which is then burned to raise steam in a boiler to power a steam turbine generator and produce electricity. According to Energy Works, it will provide sufficient electricity to power 43,000 homes, by processing materials which would otherwise be sent to landfill, while also reducing dependency upon imported fossil fuels. 

Phase two of the scheme will see the later addition of an anaerobic digestion plant and materials processing facilities.

The development will create more than 200 jobs during the construction phase, and 40 permanent positions once the plant is operational.

Energy Works project director Phil Morland said: “There is a clear synergy between the partners – MWH brings a wealth of experience in energy recovery projects and a strong thermal process capability, while Spencer has vast experience in executing complex multi-disciplinary energy projects and a track record of delivering large civil, electrical and bulk handling works.

“This is another major milestone for Energy Works, following securing planning permission, a £19.9 million capital grant, and a grid connection agreement.”

Energy Works is also exploring the opportunity to establish a neighbouring data centre, taking advantage of advanced connectivity from Hull-based telecommunications company KC’s rollout of a super-fast fibre broadband network and inexpensive power and heat supplied from Energy Works. This further potential investment would be in the region of £20 million.

The announcement comes just weeks after Hull confirmed that manufacturing giant Siemens will invest £310 million, together with Associated British Ports, in offshore wind manufacturing sites in the city and on its eastern boundary.