Key Benefits
The renewable low-carbon energy plant will:
- be complementary to the adjacent MBT facility, which would continue to recover recyclable materials and produce a compost for use in land restoration and remediation schemes
- provide an integrated sustainable waste management solution proportionate to the waste management needs of the West of England
- ensure that more of the biodegradable residual waste arising within the West of England region is diverted from landfill, further reducing emissions of methane gas, a green house gas 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide
- not lead to any increase in HGV movements associated with the adjacent MBT facility
- generate up to 13MW of electricity for export to the local distribution grid, enough to power around 24,000 homes*
- generate heat for re-use in the process, as well as offering potential for future heat supplies to suitable heat consumers
- contribute towards the sub-regional and regional targets for renewable energy generation and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- help to offset the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and provide energy security
- assist with the remediation and regeneration of a contaminated brownfield site with major investment into local infrastructure
- be similar in scale and appearance to modern employment development in Avonmouth, enhancing its character and economic vitality
- create and support jobs in construction, engineering and resource management
*based on average energy consumption of 4142kWhrs within Bristol City Council’s administrative area, BERR figures, December 2007