Powerfuel Portland is proposing to deliver an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at Portland Port in a £150+ million investment.
Powerfuel Portland submitted its application (reference number WP/20/00692/DCC) for a 183,000 tonne per annum (maximum 202,000 tonnes per annum) 15MWe Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in September 2020. The planning application can be viewed here.
The Portland ERF is fully consistent with national and local waste policy, which supports efficient energy recovery from residual waste. Using tried and tested technology, the proposed ERF will be capable of exporting around 15MW of partially renewable low carbon energy, enough to power around 30,000 homes.
A responsible solution for Dorset's waste
A modern, efficient and safe solution
Keeping Portland Port competitive
Safeguarding and investing in the local economy
Reducing carbon, improving air quality
Key benefits of the project
1. Shore power will provide cruise ships with renewable power from an on-shore electricity source - Failing to provide shore power is likely to result in a decline in direct and indirect cruise related employment and a decline in local wealth creation.
2. The Portland ERF will enable Dorset to take responsibility for its waste, in line with national requirements – it provides a more responsible, self-sufficient solution for Dorset.
3. The Portland ERF will provide generation capability on Portland and help facilitate the growth of local business and industry - Portland ERF will make a significant improvement to energy security.
4. The Portland ERF is an energy recovery technology and is nationally recognised as low carbon generation and it is fully aligned with Dorset’s declaration of a Climate Emergency.
5. The Portland ERF (excluding district heating) would reduce Dorset’s effective CO2 equivalent emissions by around 27,000 tonnes per annum.
6. Facilities such as the Portland ERF are highly regulated at a national level to ensure that any air quality or health impacts are not significant.
7. The Portland ERF will actually improve overall air quality locally as the provision of shore power will mean that diesel generators currently used to power vessels berthed at Portland Port will not be required.
8. Powerfuel has agreed to undertake a package of works to restore and make accessible a number of heritage assets, including East Weare Battery scheduled monument so that it can be removed from the Historic England At Risk Register, including providing managed access and information boards for public interest groups and education visits. Dorset Council 's Senior Conservation Officer considered this restoration was a “highly significant outcome” that would offset the “slight” harm on the setting of local heritage assets caused by the proposed ERF.
9.The Portland ERF site will result in a £150m private sector investment into Portland.
10. The development will provide around 300 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs during construction and around 35 full time permanent direct and 60 indirect jobs during operations, along with apprenticeship opportunities for local school leavers.
Read Powerfuel Portland's ERF Proposal Summary document here.