Peel launches Protos flagship energy destination

PLANS by Peel Environmental for a Northern hub for energy, innovation and industry have been revealed with the launch of Protos at Ince in Cheshire.

The announcement signals the start of construction at the Protos strategic site – formerly known as Ince Park – beginning with the delivery of the £170m investment into the Northern Powerhouse.

Peel’s Protos vision will see a collection of industries at the 126-acre site, themed around energy and innovation.

It comes as a deal to deliver a 20MW biomass plant and timber processing facility at the site has reached financial close.

Energy developer CoGen will construct and operate the facility at the first Protos plots, which will generate enough renewable energy to power around 40,000 homes and create up to 150 engineering and construction jobs.

Peel has also confirmed a multi-million pound loan from the North West Evergreen Fund to deliver phase one infrastructure at the site including construction of an access road.

The funding will unlock further development at Protos, which is set to create 3,000 jobs.

Peel Energy’s neighbouring 19-turbine, 50MW Frodsham wind farm will also form part of the wider Protos vision.

Construction of the biomass facility, access road and wind farm has now begun on site, with contractors appointed and mobilised.

Peel Environmental managing director Myles Kitcher said: “These first deals show investor confidence in the region and demonstrate how the private and public sector can unite to unlock forward-looking development and drive a Northern resurgence.

“This isn’t just aspirational – this is deliverable investment with spades already in the ground.

“Such significant investment will help us deliver a self-sustaining hub of businesses at Protos, centred on energy and innovation.

“We are also working to bring together industry and education in order to deliver this vision, which will be transformational for the North’s employment market and skills.”

The launch of Protos follows the Peel Group’s recent expression of strong support for the Northern Powerhouse.

Chairman  of the Manchester-based Group John Whittaker wrote to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to present a long-term strategy of facilitating investment across the North of England, £1bn of which is already nearing completion, under construction or close to development.

William Church, director of Capital Advisors, CBRE and investment manager to the North West Evergreen Fund, added: “Development funding in the UK region is changing, however there is still a need for alternative financing options to ensure vital regeneration projects can actually get built.”

CoGen chief executive Ian Brooking said: “It is great to be the first mover at what will become a landmark energy destination for the North.

“Our facility will supply a renewable source of energy and we are delighted to be at the heart of Protos from day one. We are on site now and expect to be exporting power by 2017, adding to our growing portfolio of facilities across the UK.”

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