Green energy plant to fuel 820 jobs boom
WHEAT a boost!
Up to 820 jobs are to be created as a new £200-million bioethanol plant for the town takes a step closer to fruition.
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Touring the new site are, from left, chief executive of Vireol Dave Knibbs, chief executive of Future Capital Tim Levy, technical director of Vireol Ged Russell and Vireol chairman David Salkeld.
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THE FUTURE: The site of the new bioethanol plant, above, an artist's impression of when it is completed, left, and how the Grimsby Telegraph has been following the story, below.
As reported, North East Planning chiefs gave the "green" light to the plans from Vireol back in July, 2008 – and now chief executive David Knibbs has announced work on building the Moody Lane plant will begin this summer.
As well as creating 70 permanent posts once the plant is up and running in 2013 – a further 750 construction workers will be required to build the massive 44 acre site.
He added that the vast majority of the new posts would be handed to local workers, who had a "good reputation" for the construction and running of chemical plants.
Mr Knibbs said: "It has been quite a tough journey to get here, but this is going to be great for the local area. It will be centred around the creation of local jobs. As far as we are concerned, we have the best site in Europe.
Mr Knibbs added that the majority of the wheat used at the plant would be sourced from Lincolnshire farmers, via local grain merchant Gleddell – providing a boost to the county's agricultural industry.
However, he was keen to quash fears that by using wheat in this way, food prices would be forced up.
He said: "The agricultural industry in the UK is not running at full capacity. Farmers are not being asked to produce as much as they physically can.
"What we can expect is that farmers will expand their production to meet the demand."
The news has been welcomed by the chairman of the Louth branch of the National Farmers' Union, John Smith.
Mr Smith, who farms in the Louth and Horncastle area, said: "This is a very exciting project, right on our doorstep, which ticks three or four major boxes.
"This is the first plant of its kind in Lincolnshire. There is already one in Teeside, and one in Hull, but they don't necessarily benefit Lincolnshire farmers, and this one will."
For more details about the plant – and local reaction – see today's Grimsby Telegraph
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by Jim, Regina
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:40PM
“Yes pensioner Windage loss reduction is what it was used for in large alternators & Compensators.”
by Pensioner, Immingham
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:56AM
“Jim, thanks for that......I don't want to elaborate on hydrogen other than to say we used it on generator slot cooling to save windage losses.....isn't it fun purging down and playing with the seal oil! What about water cooled conductors........”
by Bernard, Sth Killingholme.
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:23PM
“Jim. Regina.
See what i mean??
Just watch the rush for Hydrogen, and Hydrogen powered gas tanks to go to the shops in, that's got to be the next brainwave.”
by Jim, Regina
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:20PM
“As usual your post was informative, & interesting pensioner. What you didn't mention is that hydrogen is the least dense element. It takes a lot of it to produce energy. The only way to store it is under very high pressure. A vehicle to travel any distance on hydrogen would have to have a great big truck load of hydrogen behind it. Hydrogen is a dud.”
by Bernard, Sth Killingholme.
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:14AM
“Mrs J. White.
At last you put across the arguement as it should be put.
For 13 years we have been force fed the E.U rubbish that Labour have foisted upon us, yes farming as well as fishing have been ruined by stupid E.U rules dictated by the likes of Mandleson, the unfair system of support favours French farmers whilst our farmers are left to try to compete with their higher subsidised produce.
Jim. Regina. Your post 6th March 14.08.
I am afraid that things seem to have changed since you left our sunny shores.
In years gone by when Britain did something the rest of the world followed.
Now when the rest of the world does something Britain follows, even if it's a failure we follow.
You only have to look at our political preferences, The rest of the world get rid of communism and 13 years ago the foolish people of Britain elected a communist style dictatorship, and probably will do again on 6th May.
Jim. stay where you are you're a lucky fellow.”