Company News
Green energy Bioethanol plant planned for the Humber
Date: February 2007Vireol Plc today announces that it is seeking to develop a bioethanol plant on a brownfield site within an established industrial area near Grimsby on the south bank of the Humber Estuary. The proposed bioethanol plant will occupy a site, approximately 10 hectares in area, within the former Accordis site currently partly occupied by Fibres Worldwide who produce carbon and synthetic fibres in two existing plants. The remainder of the facility supports a power station, other utilities, warehouses and brownfield areas previously occupied by buildings and plant prior to their being demolished. It is anticipated that the construction of the bioethanol plant will take approximately 24 months.
Upon completion, the proposed plant is expected to produce 150,000 tonnes per annum of a clean vehicle fuel, known as bioethanol, from locally-supplied wheat and grain. Bioethanol is a renewable fuel that can currently be used as a five percent blend with petrol without modifications to existing vehicle engines. The provision and use of renewable fuels will reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, from the transport sector.
Vireol is today giving notice of a Public Consultation, to be held on Tuesday 30 January 2007 between 3:30pm and 8:00pm at The Innovation Centre, Europarc, Grimsby. Vireol is urging all interested parties, including local residents, councillors and press, to attend this consultation meeting to inspect plans for the site and obtain information about the benefits of bioethanol as a green energy fuel.
It is expected that a full Planning Application will be submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council in February 2007.
Commenting on the plans, Andrew Hartley, Chief Executive of Vireol Plc, said:
"We are delighted to have identified a suitable brownfield site on the south bank of the Humber Estuary near Grimsby for one of Vireol’s first bioethanol projects in the UK. Subject to planning consents, the first batch of bioethanol should be produced during 2009, putting Grimsby firmly on the map for this innovative form of renewable green energy."
