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Feasibility study into waste plans

A FEASIBILITY study is under way to assess Northampton’s suitability for a scheme that would see local household waste transformed to generate cheaper and greener energy for the town.

Rolton Kilbride, a collaboration between the Northamptonshire-based Rolton Group and Kilbride Infrastructure, is looking at options for a Community Energy Scheme that will provide the area with a cheaper alternative to the ‘Big Six’ energy companies.

The crucial difference with this scheme is that the energy supply company put in place would have no private shareholders, so all profits made on the sale of h

A FEASIBILITY study is under way to assess Northampton’s suitability for a scheme that would see local household waste transformed to generate cheaper and greener energy for the town.

Rolton Kilbride, a collaboration between the Northamptonshire-based Rolton Group and Kilbride Infrastructure, is looking at options for a Community Energy Scheme that will provide the area with a cheaper alternative to the ‘Big Six’ energy companies.

The crucial difference with this scheme is that the energy supply company put in place would have no private shareholders, so all profits made on the sale of heat and power would be returned to the town.

The energy centre would be based at the Westbridge Depot at St James, a current bin lorry site that forms part of the enterprise zone, and would use a process known as gasification, in which waste is baked rather than burned to produce much cleaner power and heat. The project could potentially include a materials recycling facility, ensuring the highest levels of recycling are achieved and maintained before using the remaining non-recyclable waste to generate energy for the local community.

Peter Rolton, Director of Rolton Kilbride, said: “We’ve given a lot of feedback to the local authorities and community groups because there were early fears that this was an incineration scheme, which is absolutely not the case. We think all those concerns have now been dealt with and all involved are happy that this is a positive scheme for the town.

“What it means for Northampton is a cost saving on waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill at the town’s expense, and an income stream on the other side from the energy it generates.

“This truly innovative joined-up strategy could offer Northampton cheap decentralised energy, and a real alternative to established energy providers. We are still at very early stages of the project, and keen to continue to work closely with the community to ensure we can provide a scheme that is beneficial to them.”

It is expected that the study, which began in January, will last for around six months.

For further details about the Rolton Group and Rolton Kilbride, visit the website www.rolton.com

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