Member Article

£30m investment at Hartlepool green energy park to create 80 new jobs

The first phase of a new green energy park in Hartlepool is expected to get underway in the next few weeks, after planning permission was granted in April earlier this year.

The Biopower Group Ltd development, found on the town’s Brenda Road, will see £30m invested at the site with 80 new jobs expected to be created.

Using proven clean technology to convert local food waste, previously destined for landfill, into electricity for the National Grid, it’s anticipated that the development will produce sufficient electricity to generate around 4,000 homes a year.

The project is expected to take around 18 months to complete but electricity could be generated for the National Grid as early as spring 2017 from the 23-acre site.

Steve Winspear, Managing Director of Biopower Group, said: “A lot of hard work and effort has gone in to get us to this stage and the forward-thinking approach by Hartlepool Council has helped this substantial investment become a reality.

“There is scope on the site for two further phases which potentially could result in £100m of investment overall into the Hartlepool economy.”

Councillor Kevin Cranney, chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “This state-of-the-art development will result in significant investment in Hartlepool and much needed jobs which has to be welcomed.

“The food waste will be sourced locally and converted into electricity for the National Grid, raising Hartlepool’s green credentials in the process.”

More to follow.