Energy Works selects JV to build power plant
Energy Works, a £150 million (€184 million) renewable power plant to be built on a 12 acre site in Hull, the UK, has selected a joint venture partnership to design, build and operate the facility.
MWH Treatment, part of US-based MWH Global, and engineering firm Spencer Group have combined to win preferred bidder status.
Energy Works has named the joint venture as preferred bidder to deliver an engineer, procure and construct (EPC) wrap contract to deliver the first phase of the development, with construction due to begin early in 2015 and completion scheduled by March 2017.
The selection follows a competitive process complying with European Union procurement regulations.
The first phase of the development will be an energy recovery facility that will generate 28MW of electricity via gasification. It will provide sufficient electricity to power 43,000 homes, by processing materials which would otherwise be sent to landfill, while also reducing dependency upon imported fossil fuels. Phase two of the scheme will see the addition of an anaerobic digestion plant and materials processing facilities.
Energy Works Project director Phil Morland says: 'There is a clear synergy between the partners – MWH brings experience in energy recovery projects and a strong thermal process capability, while Spencer has experience in executing complex multi-disciplinary energy projects and a track record of delivering large civil, electrical and bulk handling works. This is another major milestone for Energy Works, following securing planning permission, a £19.9 million capital grant and a grid connection agreement.'
Energy Works is in advanced discussions with feedstock suppliers and has appointed BDO as financial advisor. BDO will support the company in achieving financial close on the project this autumn, working closely with legal advisors Addleshaw Goddard.
The announcement comes just weeks after Hull made a significant step towards being recognised as the UK's capital of green energy following confirmation that manufacturing giant Siemens will invest £310 million, together with Associated British Ports, in offshore wind manufacturing sites in the city and on its eastern boundary.
