EQTEC secure resolution to grant planning consent at Southport Project

EQTEC plc a world leading technology innovation company enabling the Net Zero Future through advanced solutions for hydrogen, biofuels, SNG and other energy production, is pleased to announce that it has secured a resolution to grant revised planning consent for a Phase 1 waste recycling and anaerobic digestion facility at its Southport Hybrid Energy Park project with partner, Rotunda Group Ltd and its subsidiary, Shankley Biogas Ltd. Sefton Council's Planning Committee has granted revised planning permission via delegated powers for the Project to build a complete and local waste to energy solution.

The Phase 1 plan for the Plant includes a waste processing facility, an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility, combined heat and power (CHP) engines and a 2MW battery storage facility, all developed with Anaergia, Inc. (Anaergia). Anaergia has also agreed to provide EPC and O&M services for Phase 1, as the Company announced on 24 June 2022. The waste processing facility would separate renewables for recycling elsewhere, separate organics for use by the AD facility and produce refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The Phase 1 Plant would convert 80,000 tonnes of waste per year for 6 million cubic metres of biomethane to be injected into the national gas transmission system, also pulling gas from the grid to generate 9MWe for export to the national electricity transmission system.

The Company, which is leading development of the Plant, has been working on a Phase 2 plan which could add EQTEC synthesis gas (syngas) technology to convert 25,000 tonnes of RDF per year, supplied by the Plant's waste processing facility, into an estimated 2.5 - 3.0MWe of clean electricity.

More recently, and in line with their Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA), the Company and Wood have agreed to co-develop a RDF to clean hydrogen solution that would replace or augment the Phase 2 RDF to electricity solution. The RDF to hydrogen solution would combine the Company's syngas technology with Wood's VESTA syngas-to-hydrogen technology. Implementation of the solution is subject to further planning permission.

With both Phase 1 and Phase 2 solutions in place, the full Plant facilities are expected to export to the grid the equivalent of 20% or more of Southport's energy requirement.

David Palumbo, CEO, EQTEC, commented:- "This is great news for Southport, which we have anticipated these past months. As the co-developer of the project, EQTEC has a strong interest in seeing construction get underway and this advances us significantly toward that work. With Anaergia positioned as the technology, EPC and O&M partner on Phase 1, we have a strong foundation on which to proceed with Phase 2, which would position EQTEC and Wood to deliver the UK's 1st RDF-to-syngas-to-hydrogen capability. We enjoy strong local relationships, strong local support and strong partners, a perfect combination for building this innovative, commercially sustainable, baseload energy solution for Southport's Net Zero future."

Damien Moore MP for Southport, commenting on the news said:- "This is a positive development for Southport and another example of how innovative companies want to be part of the Town's future. Key to the success of levelling up Southport is attracting businesses like EQTEC and their investment as we see jobs created in the area, especially through the generation of clean energy and as part of a sustainable economy."

Damien Moore MP pledges to work with the Harper Lee Foundation to raise awareness of Button Battery dangers

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore recently met with representatives of the Harper Lee Foundation, led by Stacey Nicklin, which is campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers to children of small button batteries.

Last year, Stacey's daughter Harper-Lee tragically passed away after swallowing a button battery at her home in Stoke on Trent. Stacey has now set up the Harper Lee Foundation to help prevent such a tragedy affecting other families. The charity works with Government, battery manufacturers, retailers, educators, charities, and health professionals to reduce the risk to children of accidents and death from the ingestion of button and coin batteries.

Mr. Moore met with the Foundation to learn more about the dangers which button and coin batteries pose to children, and hear of the work that the portable battery industry, charities, and the Government are doing together to raise awareness of the risks associated with swallowing these types of batteries, with the aim of preventing these incidents occurring in the future.

Button and coin cell batteries are small batteries that are used to power a range of everyday items including:- car key fobs, remote controls, and children's toys. However, if swallowed, the larger coin cell batteries in particular can badly injure or kill a child.

After discussing the issues with Stacey in person, Mr. Moore signed the:- "button battery pledge" to raise awareness of the risks associated with button and coin cell ingestion in Southport.

He is now asking families, Schools, and local groups working with children to learn more about the dangers of button batteries, where such batteries can normally be found, and what to do in the event of ingestion.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "Sometimes a small piece of awareness can save a life. I recently met with representatives of the Harper-Lee Foundation in Parliament to discuss the work they do, especially among young families and organisations working with children, to increase awareness of the risk to children from small batteries. The Foundation was set up to provide a lasting legacy following the death of Harper Lee Fanthorpe, a child who accidentally swallowed a small button battery and tragically died. It only through greater understanding that we can help prevent further tragic deaths and injuries, and so I really do encourage everybody to learn more about the Harper-Lee Foundation's work."