THE US firm behind a major waste-to-power plant on Teesside is seeking to open talks with potential partners for the scheme.

Last year Air Products announced plans for a renewable energy facility that will convert household and commercial waste into enough renewable electricity to power 50,000 North-east homes.

A planning application has now been submitted to Stockton Council and construction work on the 49-megawatt station is expected to start later this year.

Air Products is eyeing up local companies that could use electricity from the plant to power their operations, but no deals will be done until the scheme has been approved.

Ian Williamson, European hydrogen and bio-energy director at Air Products, said: “If we successfully secure permission for the facility, Air Products will be looking to work with local firms in its construction and operation.

“We’re already working closely with the site’s owner, Impetus Waste Management, and have just brought Foster Wheeler’s Stockton office on board to support us for engineering design - so we know what expertise local companies can bring.

“We got some good vibes from Teesside. We found that people are very positive about waste-to-energy.”