Brussels, 20/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 September, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to UK plans to grant £19.9 million (around €22.9) investment aid to Energy Works (Hull) Limited for the construction and commissioning of an “energy from waste” gasification plant in Kingston-upon-Hull, judging that the aid is in line with EU state aid rules. The plant will generate 25MW of electricity from 190 kilotonnes of waste. The Commission found that the aid, funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using biodegradable waste to produce electricity and by diverting waste from landfill. Moreover, the project will contribute to security and diversification of energy supply, in line with EU objectives.
Gasification technology is considered to be an emerging technology in the waste treatment sector because it allows a cleaner and more efficient recovery of energy from waste than through traditional techniques. And it should allow the plant to achieve up to 57,000 tonnes less of CO2 a year than conventional gas-powered fire stations without emitting methane (from the decomposition of organic waste), ultimately leading to emissions reductions of over 30,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year. The plan will help develop and spread gasification technology. Energy Works will have a negligible share of the UK's electricity market and therefore the aid is unlikely to create unfair competition, explains the Commission. (FG/transl.fl)