The construction of an Air Products’ renewable energy facility would create between 500 and 700 new engineering and construction jobs, according to a spokesperson for the energy firm.

This week, Air Products announced it had won planning permission from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for a renewable energy facility near Billingham, Teesside.

The facility will convert pre-processed household and commercial waste that at present goes to landfill, into baseload, renewable power for up to 50,000 homes in the North East.

An Air Products spokesperson told Recruiter 50 permanent jobs would be created once the site is up and running.

“During construction 500 to 700 jobs will be created. They will be varied – there will be some construction and engineering. In building a plant from scratch, it will be across the spectrum and will cover most professions.”

The spokesperson says it is too early to say when recruitment will begin, but information will appear on the firm’s website ahead of the process.

Air Products has taken the project through the planning process in close collaboration with the site’s owners, Impetus Waste Management, and their planning and environmental consultant, Atkins.

Subject to financing and securing environmental permits from the Environment Agency, work could begin on site next year, with commercial operations starting in 2014.