Air Products has announced they will “temporarily suspend construction” of TV2 in Tees Valley, UK.
The move will mean 700 workers are no longer needed until the suspension ends.
The company has not said how long the suspension will last but said they “remain committed to completing both facilities as soon as possible”.
In a statement Air Products said: “As with many ground breaking projects, improvements are identified as construction advances and new solutions put in place. This is the case for our first renewable energy facility currently being built (TV1). The learnings we are making here will be applicable to our second plant.
“This decision does not reflect on the performance of our 700 highly-professional contractor colleagues currently working on the TV2 project, who will sadly be impacted by the suspension in work.”
The engineering union, GMB is in talks with Air Products to try and resolve the situation and find a solution going forward.
Michael Blench, GMB Regional Officer for construction, said “This is yet another crushing blow for the workers on Teesside. Seven weeks away from Christmas 700 workers are told they are no longer required.”
Air Products confirmed that “work on our first renewable energy project will not be interrupted. Although not part of our original plan, in the long-term, this decision will aid the overall operational success and future of both our renewable energy facilities at Teesside.”
Image: Waste to energy plant (David Smat)
