Plans for a £20m facility in West Dunbartonshire to turn waste plastic into hydrogen have been approved.
West Dunbartonshire Council has given the green light to the plant - the second of its kind in the UK. The plans were lodged by Peel NRE, part of Peel L&P, for the site at Rothesay Dock on the north bank of the River Clyde.
The 13,500 tonne facility will use Powerhouse Energy’s technology to create a local source of sustainable hydrogen from non-recyclable plastics that would otherwise be destined for landfill, incineration or export overseas.
The hydrogen will be used as fuel for HGVs, buses and cars, with plans for a linked hydrogen refuelling station on the site.
It follows the UK Government doubling its hydrogen production target by 2030 as part of the recently-published Energy Security Strategy so more clean and affordable energy can be produced in Britain as energy prices continue to rise globally.
Richard Barker, development director at Peel NRE, said: “This facility will address the dual challenge of both tackling our problem plastic whilst creating hydrogen, a sustainable fuel for future generations.
“While the focus must remain on removing plastic from society, there are still end of life plastics that need managing.”
It’s the second such planned facility, with the first to be delivered at Peel NRE’s Protos site in Cheshire near Ellesmere Port – due to begin construction this year.
In Scotland, its estimated construction will take around 15 months to complete the facility.
Paul Drennan-Durose, chief executive of Powerhouse Energy Group, said: “The consent is another key landmark for the rollout of our pioneering technology in the UK, creating a local source of hydrogen production and a vehicle refuelling station.
“This is the second in a planned portfolio of such recycling facilities across the UK we’re currently exploring with Peel NRE.
“It demonstrates our commitment to tackling the greatest challenges of our time – tackling climate change and addressing our waste plastic - with innovative technologies.”
Zero Waste Scotland estimates that around 500,000 tonnes of waste plastic are produced in Scotland every year, with research undertaken by Anthesis, on behalf of Peel NRE, showing that around 300,000 tonnes are within the central belt of Scotland.
Peel NRE has signed a collaboration agreement with Powerhouse Energy Group to develop 11 waste plastic to hydrogen facilities across the UK over the next few years, with the option of exclusive rights for a total of 70 facilities.
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