Environmental Performance

Prior to any permission to build and operate the facility we have to satisfy two important environmental criteria.

Within the planning application we have to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment. This assessment has to consider all the likely impacts of the proposals through carrying out technical appraisals that model the development. For example, technical reports covering noise, vibration, visual appearance and emissions have been undertaken as well as many others (a summary of the findings for each report can be found in the Non-Technical Summary available to download). The results of these studies are used to refine the design of the development to mitigate any potential negatives.

For example, in terms of Air Quality, the emissions that come from the combustion process are modelled taking into account the wind conditions prevalent in the area, the background existing air quality and air quality standards allowed for the process. This information is then used to determine the height of the emissions flue and to demonstrate compliance with air quality standards.

The technical assessment contained within the Environmental Statement which accompanied the planning application is then assessed by what are called statutory consultees (such as the Environment Agency) whose role it is to ensure the assessments carried out are robust and accurate. These consultees will then respond to the planning authority with their view as to the acceptability of the proposals. The planning authority will then take these comments into account together with the public consultation views when considering the application.

Even with this level of environmental assessment, granting of planning permission will not allow this facility to operate. To operate, Thames Gateway Power will need to gain an Environmental Permit. The body responsible for assessing an application and subsequent management of the permit is the Environment Agency. The Permit application is separate from the planning application. The Environmental Permit application concentrates on the professional qualifications of the staff operating the plant; the technology processes and the emissions to land, air and water in the context of the legislative emission standards.

Due to the difference in type of information the Permit application will be submitted after the Planning application.

The assessment process is rigorous and with the company needing to demonstrate that we can comply with the emission standards required. The company will also have to make a financial provision to cover costs of closing the plant and removing any potential untreated waste and other potential polluting substances on site if the business was to close.

To find out more detail on an Environmental Permit and how local people can have an input click here or visit the Downloads section.

In the event the Resource Park is granted its permission under planning, and an Environmental Permit is issued, the plant will be monitored 24 hours a day.

The monitoring of the plant activities will be undertaken by an integrated process control system. This system has a number of backup systems to ensure that in the unlikely event of an equipment failure there is a backup system ready and able to take the place of the primary system.

The emissions from the plant are monitored by a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System or CEMS for short. As its name implies the system monitors the emissions performance continuously 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

This monitoring will have to be independently viewed by the Environment Agency and if any of the limits on emissions are breached the company has four hours to rectify this or shut down the gasification plant.

If this happens the company would have to prove what measures it has taken to ensure this does not happen again before the process can begin again.

The Environmental Permit also comes with a duty of continuous improvement. This means the company is committed to adhere to standards of environmental performance as they change into the future. This ensures that the gasification plant will always be adhering to the latest and tightest emissions controls legislation now and into the future.