SIMEC Atlantis advances plans for world’s first power station conversion from coal to 100% waste derived fuel

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SIMEC Atlantis Energy Limited has announced that it is advancing its flagship Uskmouth Power Station conversion project in Wales. The power station will be converted from coal power to generate electricity from 100% waste-derived energy pellets, a world first.

Post conversion, the power station will export 220 MW of baseload power to the grid using energy pellets produced from non-recyclable waste destined for landfill, with an average calorific value of 20 Mega Joules per kg. The Uskmouth pellet will consist of 50% biogenic material, which burns carbon neutral.

The energy pellets are produced by technology developed by Dutch company N+P Group, through a joint venture with the SIMEC group called SIMEC Subcoal Fuels Limited (SSF). Four new plants will be developed in the UK, including one already in construction in Teesport to produce the pellets. The largest plant is anticipated to be located next to Uskmouth Power Station, which will consume 600,000 tonnes of waste per year.

The conversion is expected to take 18 months, following completion of front-end engineering and design (FEED) with a target of first production in Q4 2020. The converted station will have an operational life of 20 years.

The GBP4.9 million (US$6.4 million) FEED contract has been awarded to a consortium comprising engineering firm WSP and combustion system design specialist RJM.

The purpose of the FEED contract is to complete all technical testing and design work required to demonstrate that the waste derived energy pellets provided by SSF can be used as a fuel to convert the plant from generating power from coal to running on 100% energy pellets. In doing so, a Final Design Specification will be completed enabling Atlantis to award the Engineering Procurement and Construct (EPC) contract with full performance guarantees to facilitate financial close on the Uskmouth Conversion Project.

The joint venture has also awarded the Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) contract for the project to international consultancy RPS. RPS will work with the teams at Uskmouth and SSF to facilitate the EPP requirements for the Uskmouth conversion and construction of an N+P energy pellet plant on land adjacent to the Power Station. The Uskmouth team have already initiated baseline ecological surveys at the site.

Atlantis has been awarded the Management Services Agreement (MSA) in relation to the consenting process for the SSF pellet plant to be built adjacent to the Power Station in South Wales.

The development of the energy pellets and power station conversion will enable existing coal fired power stations to be converted to combust 100% waste-derived fuel, extending operating life, reducing emissions and addressing the global issue of responsible disposal of non-recyclable plastic.