Wednesbury firm unveils power from waste plan
An engineering firm is bidding to build a power plant in the Black Country that would turn waste into electricity.
Broadcrown Ltd is behind the plans for land in Portway Lane, Wednesbury.
The firm, based in Hixon, Stafford, is developing technology to turn waste efficiently into power using funding from the Energy Technologies Institute.
Bosses say the plans for the plant, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will create jobs and bring investment into the area.
Mark Walton from Alliance Planning has written to Sandwell Council on the company's behalf asking for it to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The letter says the plant would consume up to 60,000 tonnes of waste a year, and would produce 3.5 MW of renewable electricity.
The plant will take commercial and industrial waste, along with biomass products, to generate heat and power which will be pumped back into the network.
The waste will be delivered to the plant and then weighed, recorded and sorted to remove rubble or metal components.
Recyclable materials will also be removed and taken elsewhere to be recycled.
If the environmental impact statement is successful, the firm is expected to make a full planning application.
Wednesbury North councillor Elaine Costigan said: "It's fantastic news for Wednesbury and a marvellous opportunity to have such a clean and apparently cheap energy source in Sandwell.
Jobs and economy boss Councillor Ian Jones said: "I welcome any new development that is going to bring employment and investment into the area."
