Work has begun at the site which will see the production of clean fuel by Powerhouse Energy Group plc in the North West of England.
The site clearance has commenced at Protos, Peel L&P Environmental’s flagship strategic energy and resource hub near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. Construction has also started on the second phase of infrastructure works at Protos which includes the preparation of access roads, laydown areas for the works and utility service installation at the site and new nature areas to create habitats for wading birds and water voles.
As work progresses, Powerhouse Energy, the sustainable hydrogen company, has appointed a number of senior process engineers, application engineers and support staff joining the team to be based at University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park next to Protos.
Powerhouse technology is a UK first which will help accelerate the clean energy transition, helping drive the hydrogen revolution and improve air quality by replacing diesel with hydrogen as a transport fuel. Powerhouse will use their clean technology at a local level, providing a treatment solution for end of life plastic waste whilst producing clean hydrogen fuel.
Consented earlier this year, 2021 will see the first commercial use of Powerhouse technology with the facility located at the Plastic Park at Protos. Peel L&P Environmental will be bringing forward a planning application for the full Plastic Park next year. The Plastic Park will revolutionise the way that plastic waste is currently handled providing a comprehensive solution for some of the 4.9 million tonnes of plastic waste generated in the UK each year, preventing it ending up in landfill or the ocean.
Powerhouse Energy and Peel L&P Environmental are collaborating to develop 11 waste plastic to hydrogen facilities across the UK.
Powerhouse welcomed the UK Government’s recent ten point plan for a green industrial revolution which highlighted the need for hydrogen production in order to reach net zero and reduce carbon emissions.
Tim Yeo, Chairman of Powerhouse Energy Group said: “We welcome the commencement of activity at Protos with clearance of the site where the first commercial scale plant will be built, which will help accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition. Powerhouse is getting down to business ahead of intense activity expected in 2021 as demand for our waste plastic to hydrogen technology gains rapid momentum. The company has strengthened the board and appointed a number of key experts to our operational team. I am looking forward to the next year as the opportunity for Powerhouse continues to grow and our clean energy technology can become part of the solution to air pollution and waste plastic”.
