Teesside waste energy plants abandoned

Work on the TV2 energy-from-waste plant was initially halted in November last year, which resulted in the loss of 700 jobs.

Now, however, TV1 and TV2 have been scrapped. Air Products has cited issues with design, operation and cost as major factors in its decision to abandon the project.

You couldn't invent a story like this if you tried

Michael Blench, GMB regional officer

According to a statement from the company, it is expected the decision will cost around £770 million.

“We appreciate the hard work of our employees and contractors at the site, and certainly understand their disappointment in this decision,” said Seifi Ghasemi, chief executive officer of Air Products.

Engineering union GMB described the decision as a “crushing blow” for employment in the area.

Michael Blench, GMB regional officer, said: “Both Tees Valley energy-from-waste projects, TV1 and TV2, have provided employment for the region but the inability of Air Products to purchase the right, proven technology and then its reported incompetence at rectifying the design flaws has now resulted in both plants being potentially scrapped.

“The knock-on effect is going to deny work for the local supply chain and jobs for local people in both running the plants and maintaining them. You couldn't invent a story like this if you tried.”

TV1 and TV2 were designed to generate roughly 50MW of electricity per year using advanced plasma gasification energy-from-waste technology.