New plans for Â£350m renewable energy plant in Peterborough with 250 jobs get go ahead

The plant off Storey’s Bar Road was originally scheduled to open at the end of 2010 but is now due to come online by 2022, creating up to 250 jobs in the construction phase then another 136 permanent roles.

John Dickie, director of Planning and Development at Peterborough Renewable Energy Limited (PREL), explained to the members of Peterborough City Council’s planning committee yesterday (Tuesday, October 16) that the details of the new application were “a vast improvement on the 2008 original, now including additional offices, a visitor centre and streamlined road infrastructure in and out of the site”.

He added: “The new research and development visitor centre will allow PREL to host schools, universities and all parties interested in the renewable energy business so that we can educate them in the processes that turns waste into fuel, instead of landfill.

“Additionally, the newly improved highways scheme in and out of the plant, which includes a roundabout and cycle and pedestrian pathways, will actually reduce the number of road tonnes from 650k to 590k per annum, less lorry movements, and so even less pollution as a result.

The PREL plant, which takes biomass slurry waste and turns it into solid fuel, will eventually contribute 43MW of electricity back into the National Grid, and could have a maximum output of 80MW when fully completed.

Construction is due to start in early 2019.

The new scheme also includes additional landscaping to shield it from the local Flag Fen Visitor Centre and any housing.

Councillors unanimously approved the application.