Plans approved for £230m power plant in Hartlepool
Plans for a £230m energy centre near Hartlepool have been approved by the town’s borough council.
The Graythorp Energy Centre will process industrial and domestic waste, generating enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of over 100,000 homes.
Millions of tonnes of waste will be processed at the site, next to the Graythorp industrial Estate, south of Seaton Carew.
The facility is expected to take three years to build, generating up to 450 construction jobs. Once operational, the its is expected to support 40 full-time jobs.
Graythorp Energy says the waste would otherwise be sent to landfill sites in the UK or transported to energy plants on the continent.
The electricity generated at the plant will be classified as 50% renewable by the government.
Nick Roberts, planning consultant for the development, told councillors the proposals would provide help provide sustainable energy.
"Sustainable waste management and the production of decentralised low carbon energy are matters at the forefront of national policy and pivotal to combating climate change.
"The proposal before you, the Graythorp Energy Centre, would simultaneously deliver both of these on a site that is appropriately allocated for this use in your local plan."