Proposed plans:
With a global climate emergency, a rapidly ageing national energy distribution infrastructure, and the Government’s net zero carbon reduction targets and Green Industrial Recovery policies being actively pursued, now is the time to create a self-sufficient, low carbon and sustainable energy supply/delivery network for local communities throughout the UK.
The Hownsgill Energy Centre (HEC) is a small-scale, community-focused energy recovery facility proposed for Consett, County Durham, which will provide green, clean and low carbon renewable energy solutions for local residents and businesses.
As part of a wider renewables development programme, this new energy from waste facility will use highly advanced, innovative and proven technologies to safely convert locally-generated, non-recyclable and non-hazardous waste (processed elsewhere offsite) into low carbon power (heat/electricity or a combination thereof). It will create a successful circular economy, jobs and a community-driven solution to effectively manage waste supply and energy demand for the Consett area.
Hownsgill Energy Centre will generate enough low carbon energy to power approximately 8,000 homes, creating new green jobs, more inward investment and ultimately, greater regeneration for the area. It will complement a new solar farm also proposed for Hownsgill Industrial Park, delivering a ‘grass roots’ solution to the country’s increasing energy demands. This will help to minimise potential local outages in the future, especially as more pressure is being placed on an aging grid network due to, for example, the rising use of household charging points for electric vehicles.
Plans submitted also include the creation of a new community-based, customer-first energy supplier that will offer significant benefits to Consett residents and businesses including reduced energy costs.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Consett to take the lead and drive forward a scheme that not only provides a catalyst for further investment, jobs and regeneration, but also enables residents to directly benefit and make a shift to using green, locally-produced, low carbon renewable energy.”
“Fusion for Business is delighted to be part of the consortium of local organisations working together to create a sustainable, low carbon, low-cost energy solution for residents and businesses. The project’s focus on job creation for the area, among wider benefits, is very exciting given the current economic climate and linked to this, we’ll be announcing a recruitment campaign in early 2021 as we gear up to support businesses with energy saving solutions.”
Hownsgill Energy Centre complies with and fully supports Durham County Council’s policy regarding waste management and meets an identified need for new waste management capacity. This includes:
assisting in moving the management of waste in County Durham towards net self-sufficiency and/or making an appropriate contribution to regional self-sufficiency by managing waste streams as near as possible to their production
contributing to driving the management of waste up the waste hierarchy and does not prejudice the movement of waste up the waste hierarchy
Viewpoints - what you will see:
View from Sunderland Path (positioned out of view behind landscape)
View from Chequers
View from Starbucks
View from Knitsley Lane
View from Rotary Way (positioned behind landscape)
View from Templetown
Local businesses generate
000’s of tonnes of waste:
Examples of non-hazardous and non-recyclable waste :
• Non-recyclable wood fragments
• Non-recyclable paper and cardboard
• Non-recyclable fabrics
• Redundant furniture, carpet and underlay
• Non-recyclable packaging
• Non-recyclable plastic
• Non-recyclable business waste
Where will the commercial waste come from?
• Local factories
• Local schools
• Local offices
• Local shops
• Items from domestic skip hire (eg waste GENERATED FROM HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS/MODERNISATIONS)
All commercial waste used at Hownsgill Energy Centre will come from within a 10 mile radius of the facility.
Advanced filtration technologies:
Hownsgill Energy Centre will use proven, state-of-the-art furnace, flue and gas technologies to ensure renewable heat, power and steam are generated in an extremely safe way with the lowest possible emissions (at negligible levels). These advanced, highly controlled processes are rigorously tested and designed to handle high ash loads at extreme temperatures, with three comprehensive stages of filtration ensuring all unwanted elements are fully destroyed, safely collected and disposed of accordingly under strict regulations and criteria, and without any risk.
Employment, skills training and education:
The proposed facility will be a key component within a wider and diverse renewables programme that could see solar power, battery storage, smart-grid technologies, district heating (and the potential for carbon capture storage) benefiting the local area. This will support the North East’s (and the UK’s) transition towards net zero and renewable energy use, especially in light of the global climate emergency we’re all facing.
It is therefore essential that the local workforce, young people and much younger generations are well equipped with the correct knowledge, skills and training to meet future industry and employment requirements. Once operational, Hownsgill Energy Centre will therefore seek to provide educational and vocational opportunities wherever possible, with the development of an onsite ‘information hub’ to allow school pupils, students, visitors and community/youth groups the opportunity to learn about responsible waste management and wider environmental issues. This could include the importance of recycling, landfilling and what happens to waste over time, how waste is collected, the amount households/communities generate and individual good practice, climate change, renewable energy generation (all sources and technologies such as solar, wind, wave etc), logistics, net zero objectives and more.
Furthermore, Hownsgill Energy Centre aims to work closely with Derwentside College to potentially offer vocational and on-the-job training opportunities linked to curriculum-based learning around renewables. Following positive initial engagement, there is also the potential to develop and offer apprenticeships (mechanical/electrical), upskilling and work experience to support local young people looking to pursue future careers and employment within the sector.
