Invention will cut emissions

Mechanical engineer Tony Archer has developed a device to reduce emissions and fuel consumption in power station turbines and has set up a company, Power Generation Technology, to commercialise his invention.

The company, based in Billingham, could employ up to 200 people within a year, Mr Archer said.

Up to 50 companies in the region will supply parts and manufacture the device, which he said could create up to 2,000 jobs in the wider supply chain.

The company is backed by a group of investors including Sheikh Alli Said Al Harthy, a member of Oman's Royal Family and owner of an eight per cent stake in the company.

He has also been courting contracts in the Middle East, with one in the United Arab Emirates expected to be signed within two weeks.

Mr Archer, who has more than 30 years' experience in the power and petrochemical sectors, said the Chinese government was also interested in the device for its 10,000 power stations, a contract he estimates would be worth £45bn to Power Generation Technology.

He said: "I actually hope we deal with smaller contracts before that. Although we wouldn't turn it down, we would have to install a much larger supply chain to be able to do it."

There are other deals worth at least £200m in the Middle East.

Power Generation Technology has signed an agreement with NEL Power, which is delivering power station survey, inspection and servicing provisions.

A power station operating eight 200 megawatt gas turbines, fitted with the device - known as Power Plus - could save up to £150m in fuel every year as well as generate extra revenue of up to £80m through increased megawatt production.

Mr Archer said: "If every power station in the world had a Power Plus unit then the first massive step in solving global warming would have been taken.

"Power Plus has the potential to transform Tees Valley industry and secure the future of the area's specialist engineering sectors."