Hooton Bio Power
Hooton Bio Power is an EfW facility based on gasification technology and is considered an ERF based on its R1 status. The facility has a permitted capacity of 260,000 tonnes a year and is operated by BWSC on behalf of Hooton Bio Power Ltd.
The plant is near Eastham in Ellesmere Port and is designed to receive RDF waste primarily by road, although it is understood it can undertake some processing of residual waste on site.
Site Details
| Operator | Hooton Bio Power Ltd |
|---|---|
| Site | Hooton Bio Power |
| Size | Medium |
| Permit No | CP3733QJ |
| Plated Capacity | 260 |
| Status | Operational |
Plant Description
The facility utilises 2 lines of a Fluidised Bed Gasification system provided by Kobelco Eco Solutions (also termed a melting furnace technology)[3][4].
BWSC were contracted to deliver the EPC and O&M contracts and construction started in November 2018, with an operational date planned for the second half of 2021[3].
Construction and commissioning was delayed.
The facility achieved takeover from the EPC Contractor (BWSC) on 23 January 2023. From the end of July 2023, the Plant entered the 18 month “Availability Test” period whereby the EPC construction contractor had to demonstrate a 6-month period of continuous running at the level of the “Availability Guarantee” (~87%)[4].
As at the end of 2024 the two lines were running at 42% and 51% primarly due to boiler tube leaks, feedstock blockages and precautionary outages to ensure the Plant did not have a negative impact on the environment[5].
History
The project was developed by Cogen, with financial close being reached in October 2018 with the simultaneous sale to Aviva Investors[1].
It was reported at the time as the first non-subsidised merchant Gasification facility in the UK, and the largest Gasification facility in the UK of its size and technology type[2].
Waste is pre-shredded and delivered as RDF and/or shredded on site to meet the technology demands of the plant[4].
Waste fuel is supplied under a long term (15 year) agreement with N+P[6].
References:
- Letsrecycle Article Nov 2018
- BWSC Website
- Kobelco Website Article Nov 2018
- Annual Report 2023
- Annual Report 2024
- Original Cogen Website, no longer online
