Qualitech Environmental Ltd has launched public consultation on proposals for a new specialist waste treatment and energy recovery facility on land at Tofts Road West, Hartlepool.
Located in an established industrial area, the proposed Tofts Road Energy Recovery Facility would represent an investment of over £64 million in Hartlepool, creating 40 permanent skilled jobs once operational and supporting 45 roles during the three-year construction phase, alongside additional apprenticeships.
The facility will treat waste which is classed as hazardous from manufacturing, pharmaceutical facilities, engineering, maintenance and industrial cleaning. The UK currently has very limited capacity to treat hazardous waste domestically, with only two existing specialist facilities in the UK which are ageing and cannot keep up with demand.
It would generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 2,000 homes every year, while heat and steam could also be supplied directly to nearby businesses.
A new facility in Hartlepool would provide much-needed capacity to treat hazardous waste arising in the Tees Valley and UK. It would reduce the amount of waste that is currently shipped overseas for treatment, and would also generate domestic energy, helping to reduce reliance on unstable global supplies.
The facility has also been designed to be carbon capture ready and could potentially be connected to the planned Net Zero Teesside carbon capture and storage pipeline in the future.
Danny Casey, Managing Director, Qualitech Environmental Ltd said: “This facility would be one of the UK’s first hazardous waste treatment plants to recover energy from the process; with enough electricity generated to power the equivalent of 2000 homes every year and the potential for heat and steam to be supplied to local businesses. Treating this waste domestically would save thousands of tonnes of CO2 every year while helping build British energy security.
“Our plans represents a £65m investment in Hartlepool with 45 construction jobs over the 3-year build and 40 permanent jobs once operational. We’re committed to community engagement and maximising the opportunity for people to have their say on the proposals. With that in mind, we’ve decided to postpone the consultation event whilst we finalise a venue closer to Seaton Carew.”
