Plans submitted to build waste-to-hydrogen plant

An application has been submitted to build a waste-to-hydrogen plant in Kent.

The applicant, Hydrogen Transition Energy (HTE), based at the Kent Innovation Centre in Broadstairs, said the facility was designed to convert non-recyclable waste which can be used for clean fuel.

The proposed facility would be close to Manston Airport, near Ramsgate, on a 16-acre site and would be the UK's "first commercial-scale waste-to-hydrogen facility", it said.

The facility would also support industrial decarbonisation while reducing reliance on landfill and fossil fuels, HTE added.

According to application documents, the proposed development aims to deliver substantial economy benefits with an investment of about £120m and provide nearly 400 jobs during construction.

It also said that once the site was fully operational, it would provide nearly 100 full-time equivalent jobs.

The documents added that the hydrogen plant would process 44,000 tonnes of non-recyclable materials a year, including household waste, commercial plastics, timber and used wind turbines.

The proposed site would also include a visitor and innovation centre, aimed to "support community engagement and education" about hydrogen technology, sustainable energy systems and the role of waste-to-energy solutions in addressing climate change, HTE said.

Kent County Council has not confirmed a decision date for the application.

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