Specialist contracting firm Smith Brothers has ‘broken ground’ on a UK-first carbon capture power generation project designed to support the country’s transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
The £28 million carbon capture and power generation plant – a joint venture between Landmark Power Holdings and Victory Hill Capital Advisors LLC – represents a commitment to power generation projects in the UK, with the first located in Rhodesia, Nottinghamshire.
The Rhodesia plant is the first to be developed under Landmark Power Holdings’ FlexPower Plus concept for flexible power generation with natural gas-powered engines and waste heat recovery, for increased energy efficiency and carbon capture technology.
“There are over 40,000 people in Worksop, and once operational, this site will have the capacity to provide power for approximately 25 per cent of those living in the area,” explained Mick Avison, founder and managing director of Landmark Power Holdings.
“Household energy will be created using natural gas, while the plant will capture and turn waste into food-grade carbon dioxide, sold through a food-grade CO2 offtake agreement with BUSE Gas Solutions – one of the global leading suppliers in the industrial and speciality gas markets.”
The project is expected to go into commercial operation in the first half of 2023, and will produce highly efficient flexible power which will help secure the supply within the UK electricity grid and contribute to the growth in renewable generation capacity.
Capable of powering nine per cent of the properties in Bassetlaw, chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, Madelaine Richardson, said: “Having the first decarbonisation power plant is a great asset for us. Partnerships and investments such as these are important for sustainable outcomes, plus making the most of the waste products is of particular interest to me, as I continue to explore how we better tackle the challenges of all forms of waste, in our area.”
John Smith, co-founder and joint chairman of Smith Brothers, concluded: “This carbon capture project is the first of its kind in the UK and represents the future of power generation – if we are to achieve our nation’s sustainability ambitions. Breaking ground on this is a milestone moment, and we are proud to be part of the powerhouse of organisations which are committed to delivering on this vital scheme.”
Eleanor Fraser-Smith, head of sustainability at Victory Hill Capital Partners, added: “Victory Hill is committed to working towards the UK’s energy transition goals, and projects such as this are imperative for us to secure a net zero future. We plan to be good neighbours throughout the construction and operation of this project, and look forward to putting Worksop on the map for being a leading light in the future of power generation.”
Under the scope of works, Smith Brothers will provide full turnkey EPC construction services in relation to the combined heat and power plants, which will bring together high-efficiency, gas-fired engine technology as part of the new 10MW, 33kV Western Power Distribution (WPD) connection.
The project brings together some of the world’s leading industrial technology companies as part of the delivery, including Rolls Royce/Yellow Power, Swedish industrial group Climeon, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group subsidiary Turboden based in Italy, and privately-held Swiss Carbon Capture technology manufacturer, ASCO Carbon Dioxide Ltd.
