Mystery over Sinfin waste wood power plant
MYSTERY surrounds the future of a controversial waste wood plant in Sinfin, which the Environment Agency says "as far as we are aware, is currently closed".
Campaigners had opposed the plant, saying it would create dangerous emissions such as nitrogen dioxide.
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Simon Bacon
They claimed locals with breathing conditions, such as asthma, could see them made worse by the plant.
The site, run by Boyle Electrical Generation and Withion Power, had been using a process called gasification, which involves heat-treating the wood, creating gas which is burned to make electricity.
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Last June, Withion managing director Tony Wood said the plant operated within "strict parameters" set by the Environment Agency.
He said the two firms wanted to create enough electricity for the National Grid to power about 3,000 homes at any one time.
At that point, one generator was running and the firm was looking to have six operating over the following year.
Mr Wood said it was hoped that the site would employ 12 full-time and four temporary workers.
But, on January 29, the Environment Agency confirmed to one of the protestors against the plant, Simon Bacon, that the site had closed.
In a statement, the firm says: "The site is still permitted [to operate]. However, due to financial funding issues, it is currently closed. There is no date for re-starting at the moment."
On Friday, an Environment Agency spokeswoman confirmed it had made this statement and that "as far as we are aware", this was still the case.
She said the current permit meant the site operators could start work again.
The Derby Telegraph tried calling and e-mailing the firm using the details on the plant's website but got no response.
Mr Bacon, chairman of Sinfin and Spondon Against Incineration, said he hoped the plant would remain closed down.
He said: "We are extremely pleased they have had financial difficulties.
"We reported the plant to the Environment Agency in June 2012 because we had concerns about its emissions."
Mr Bacon said emissions from the plant were a particular concern as the site is next to an Air Quality Management Area.
These are places where the Government expects councils to take action over air pollution levels.
12 Comments
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by Poika
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:10AM
“Interestingly, Professional, the comment of yours that I was specifically replying to has been removed; the one where YOU said somethng to the effect of "who cares about pollution in Sinfin" [you were, though, less polite about it than that] - so it was YOU who mentioned pollution in the first place. However, my point still stands, even wood smoke in large enough quantities MAY be dangerous, and will certainly go where ever the wind blows it, regardless of where it starts.”
by LittleoverSim
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 1:08AM
“@Professional the fatal flaw in your statement is the bit about it being safe, tried, tested bla bla.
1- the plant was only just being commissioned
2- the Environment Agency admitted that the plant continued to emit smoke (which such a plant should not do) 2 hours after it was shut down later admitting that emission monitoring was switched off.
3- it is widely accepted that such plants emit nitrogen dioxide and particle emissions - both of which impact on those with COPD and Asthma and the local community suffers from these conditions and many live in Air Quality Management Areas for such emissions.
So the plant isnt SAFE because its not been fully commissioned, it isnt TRIED because its not been fully commissioned and its not TESTED because its not been fully commissioned.
Just telling you the facts as they are !”
by Professional
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:42PM
“by Poika
the pollution could end up in Allestree as easily as it ends up in Sinfin."
Your argument has a fatal flaw. WHAT POLLUTION?
The plant is safe, tried, tested, safe. There is no "pollution" other than that in the immaginations of the eco-loon scaremongerers.”
by Poika
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:07PM
“Dear Professional, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but airborne pollutions don't tend to respect area boundaries. If the wind is in the right direction the pollution could end up in Allestree as easily as it ends up in Sinfin.”
by LittleoverSim
Monday, February 04 2013, 8:17PM
“@professional shows how bright you are - your saying BUILD IT ! the plants built - otherwise how could it be reported to the Environment Agency DOH !
In relation to fireworks at Markeaton Park last time I checked no permit was required to do so and Markeaton Park isnt an AQMA for Nitrogen Dioxide or within metres of a supermarket and DIY store.
Your free to ignore the issues of wood dust being a carcinogen and impacts people across the UK and your free to ignore the issues of Nitrogen Dioxide and its impacts on health in an AQMA on anyone suffering from asthma, COPD etc.
Meanwhile I am others are free to be pleased the plant is closed because of financial troubles.
Happy Days I say !”
by Professional
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:20PM
“I wonder why the people whining aboiut a bit of wood being burnt are quite happy to allow our council to set off fireworks every November on Markeaton Park.
Hypocrites.”
by LittleoverSim
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:06PM
“@Spondon for clarity I am not a member of FoE - I am just someone who fights what what I consider to be wrong and in this case it starts with fighting for clean air in the city.
Did I miss some trolling from Spring_Bok ? I dont see a post from them - sorry if I missed it.
To shed some more light on the issue we have to remember those who live where the biomass is actually produced - often biomass for such plants is recovered timber which can contain various chemicals, paints etc - the grinding and crushing of such material blights communities - wood dust being a carcinogen. Then you have this plant itself - why oh why does the EA even consider permitting such plants close to air quality management areas ? if an AQMA is in place its not rocket science to see you shouldnt add more combustion. Thats before we have to consider if the process itself is right or not !
This particular plant was caught emitting smoke to ground level in June 2012 2 HOURS after they claimed it was shut down ! I sent pictures to the EA - and actually to the Derby Telegraph but they didnt run a story.
The Environment Agency response was that they checked the emission data and no emissions were broken. But I dont walk away that easily - only by pushing the EA further did they admit that the monitoring was switched OFF when the plant was shut down - so 2 hours later what ever it was kicking out the chimney wasnt being monitored !
Thats the reality of this - the EA wouldnt have admitted to this without me pushing them - and its the EA we are meant to have trust in that such plants will be carefully monitored.”
by Professional
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:06PM
“BUILD IT and ignore the eco-loons”
by Professional
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:03PM
“BUILD IT and ignore the eco-loons”
by DerbyFoE
Monday, February 04 2013, 10:41AM
“Well done SSAIN. We too have had a letter from the Environment Agency confirming that Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) can be switched OFF. No-one will know when this occurs as the computers can be hacked into, without it showing.
Even more reason for no more polluting industry.
The Wood Panel trade Association has estimated that they lose a million tonnes of such woodwaste to landfill and incineration, instead of sustainable reuse through wood panel production, providing much needed insulation in our housing stock and newbuild.
For 10,000 tonnes of waste reused/recycled, 59-112 jobs are created.
For every 10,000 tonnes incinerated, only ten jobs are created.
Derby and South Derbyshire Friends of the Earth”