Renewable power plant will create 500 Tees jobs

May 13 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

Neil Kenley, strategic investment and marketing director for Tees Valley Regeneration, welcomed Gaia’s announcement.

He said: “We, along with Stockton Borough Council, have been working with Gaia Power for some time now and are delighted they have decided to bring the green energy plant and the massive investment and vital jobs that go with it to the Tees Valley.

“This is exactly the type of business we work so hard to attract to the area and the fact Gaia Power will be established here adds more credence to the fact the Tees Valley is becoming a hub for new energy companies.”

Gaia aims to submit the plans next week and hopes to have a decision by the autumn. If approved, the company will then turn to the private sector to raise funding. The plant would take around two years to build and six months to commission.

Mr Fox said Gaia had already spoken to a number of banks and had received a positive response. “This is certainly more challenging but we’re certainly very hopeful. Banks are still funding renewables and infrastructure,” he said.

The biomass power station would produce the same amount of energy as 50-60 wind turbines and Mr Fox said it would prove more reliable because it was not weather dependent.

Mr Fox is the former deputy chairman of Ensus, which built Europe’s biggest bioethanol plant at Wilton. The £245m plant is due to start operating this year.

He says there is room for bioethanol, wind power and biomass in the renewables mix on Teesside.

“I strongly believe in the Ensus story,” said Mr Fox. “All of these technologies will need to be applied.”

A public exhibition is being held today at Port Clarence community centre from noon to 8pm.