Frequently asked questions
Thank you for your interest in our site and for your questions. We are in the process of compiling these and will either post the answers on to the site or respond to you personally (as appropriate). We will endeavour to have all questions answered and uploaded within 2 weeks. Thank you.
Why is there a need for an energypark?
Climate change, waste reduction, improving the local economy are all reasons but the principle reason is to remove landfill as a waste management option. Landfill creates significant pollution of the air and land. In addition it represents a disregard for materials that could be re-used, the replacement of which, through mining, forestry and transport creates additional pollution. Other waste treatment methods are not complete solutions often needing a landfill back and very often having a final destination of abroad.
In addition to providing sustainable waste management the energypark also creates renewable energy. Energy production is a major climate change contributor. We all rely on power but sadl y the overwhelming majority comes from fossil fuel or nuclear power stations. The power produced at the energypark is renewable and makes the complete-cycle process more sustainable than any other waste recycling or recovery plant thereby providing a climate change benefit. Locally in Peterborough we have another issue in that the Dogsthorpe landfill has only a limited life. The energypark turns waste into an asset and is an environmentally sustainable way to overcome this reliance on landfill and boost Peterborough’s green credentials. The energypark works on a 100 per cent recovery/recycling basis, so none of the waste ends up in landfill. Plus, as an added bonus, during this process it creates enough electricity to power 60,000 homes and saves at least 614,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
The park is too big?
The development area is less than 30 acres while the two main buildings are each less than 2 football pitches in size. The complete development is smaller than a typical supermarket distribution centre and this current application is almost 20 acres smaller than the previous application.
How much material can be processed?
The energypark has the ability to Recycle and Recover value from a maximum of 650,000 tonnes per year. This equates to less than 1/3 of the material put into the landfill last year in the County. The energypark will just deal with a fraction the 3.5 million tonnes of waste found in the area the majority of which is ending up in the landfills.
Did you know during 2005/6 Cambridgeshire landfilled 812,0001 tonnes of London’s wastes
Compiled from environment agency data
It’s in the wrong place?
The land, off Storey’s Bar Road in Fengate, has already been earmarked by Peterborough City Council for a major waste management facility according to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Local Plan. Furthermore, it is sited within an industrial zone suitable for combined heat and power development and sandwiched between Peterborough Power Station and an area which is hoping for permission to build three 90-metre wind turbines. The site is close to major waste centres and has suitable infrastructure to support it and therefore is not considered to be in the wrong place. Being close to major waste centres such as the MRF, the EcoTrade centre, the landfill and other waste yards helps to reduce the impact of waste transport.
The energypark will ruin the heritage site of Flag Fen?
The park will have no adverse affect on Flag Fen. Detailed technical studies including archaeological, hydrological and air impact reports show this. New screening and landscaping will in fact improve the views from Flag Fen by helping to screen the existing power station. The screening will also assist in improving bio-diversity and wildlife in the area. Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd is keen to be an active and supportive neighbour of Flag Fen and is hoping to work with the site to develop a number of joint projects to ensure Flag Fen remains a top tourist attraction in the City and County.
Will there be emissions produced from the site?
Any emissions are considered insignificant by Environmental Quality Standards. The facility will actually purify the air by removing particle and pollutants created by other industries and traffic. Total annual “harmful” emissions from the energypark for the year would be less than “harmful” emissions created by one garden / trash can fire.
There is a general false public concern about dioxins from energy facilities – the potential amount of dioxin from a plant over a whole year can be shown to be equivalent to the amount of dioxin inhaled from 1 cigarette.
Dioxins in Cigarette Smoke H. MUTO et al Archives of Environmental Health, Pg. 44 (3) : 171-4 May/Jun
Will there be excessive noise from the plant?
No. When the park is up and running, any noise produced from equipment will be contained within the specially constructed walls. In addition noise studies show that the area is significantly affected by other major noise emitters in the area. Noise levels are expected to be at their highest during construction although work will be limited to day-time working hours and contractors will be obliged to adhere to all codes of best practice.
Are there any health risks involved with the opening of the energypark?
No. Facilities must conform to standard operating procedures as managed by the Environment Agency. The health risk for the facility as modelled shows there is no health risk from operating the facility. In order to operate a full disaster recovery procedure has been drawn up to ensure safety in the event of an incident. Statistics say you are 3,000 times more likely to be killed in a car crash and 500 times more likely to die in a gas explosion at your home, than suffer fatally from the energypark’s activities. There is a greater risk to health from composting waste (including green waste) than from using thermal treatment methods that conform to IPPC standards.
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