An energy-recovery-from-waste plant on the Isle of Wight has won the Renewable Energy Project of the Year Award in the Environment and Energy Awards 2009.

The project, by UK-based Energos, is the first fully developed gasification plant in the UK to operate on a municipal waste stream. It’s also the first time that advanced thermal conversion technology has been applied in this way.

The recently opened plant is part of the Department of Environment, food and Rural Affair’s New Technology Demonstrator Programme. This low-emissions technology generates 2.3 megawatts of green electricity from residual, non-recyclable waste — enough to power more than 3,000 homes.

The Energos plant receives residual waste from an established resource recovery facility operated by Biffa subsidiary Island Waste Services, the Isle of Wight Council’s integrated waste management contractor.

“This is a very interesting project and good example of a new type of opportunity where there is a need for a pragmatic solution to solving waste disposal problems,” wrote judges from the Energy Institute upon choosing the project for the award.

The awards, organised by Faversham House Group, saw the best of green industry rewarded for their initiative and environmental thinking throughout the last year.

“Our intention is to help communities to become self sufficient in responsibly managing their own waste and generating both renewable heat and electricity, providing a real alternative to landfill,” said Tony Grimshaw, technical director for Energos.

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