EXTENSIVE work to replace the entire filtration system of the Island’s electricity generating gasification plant so far has failed to cure emissions of dangerous dioxins.
During testing of burning rubbish to produce power at the Newport plant, emissions continued to breach EU safety limits and it was shut down again.
That means it has not been running for five months, after previously being plagued by teething troubles.
Experts had expected it to be back by the end of July.
It was in the spring the Environment Agency shut down the pioneering Forest Road generator, which is a hybrid of the old Waste Derived Fuel plant and new green 'gasification’ equipment. Tests showed dioxin emissions eight times the EU limit.
Before the fault developed, operators Energos said dioxins were just 3.4 per cent of the maximum.
Continued delays have meant hundreds of tonnes of rubbish, which would have been burned to generate power, have instead gone to landfill at Standen Heath, near Arreton, which is fast filling-up.
Energos says it is confident the plant will soon meet the stringent emissions requirements.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk