Client: Vital Energi

Sector: Biomass to Energy-from-Waste (EFW)

Site: Port Clarence, Teesside

Services Delivered: Baseline ultrasonic thickness testing (UTTM), multi-disciplinary NDT, rope access support, verification alignment with Lloyds/LRQA, Lifetime Service Agreement (LTSA)

Vital Energi’s acquisition of the dormant Port Clarence biomass facility marked a major step in the company’s evolution from an energy solutions provider to a significant owner of operational assets. Tasked with transforming a stalled plant into a fully operational RDF-to-energy facility capable of producing 30 MWe and processing 330,000 tonnes of residual waste annually, Vital Energi needed a partner who could ensure the plant’s integrity from the very start. We were brought in to deliver precision inspections, baseline measurements, and proactive integrity management, laying the foundation for long-term operational reliability.

The Challenge

• Port Clarence had been dormant since 2019, and conversion to an energy-from-waste facility presented unique challenges:
• Establishing reliable baseline data to ensure boiler systems and critical infrastructure were fit for purpose.
• Aligning with Lloyds/LRQA verification standards and their Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
• Supporting a plant that, once live, would play a vital role in UK energy security, processing RDF to produce baseload renewable energy.
• Providing a long-term inspection and maintenance strategy that would continue throughout the asset’s operational life.

With construction already 90% complete and first waste anticipated in Q4 2026, timely and accurate baseline inspection was essential to prevent future downtime and ensure compliance from day one.

Our Response

MITS was engaged from the outset, performing ultrasonic thickness testing (UTTM) across boiler tubes and associated pipework to create a robust baseline dataset. This data will be continually referenced during future outages and inspections under a Lifetime Service Agreement (LTSA), ensuring the plant’s integrity throughout its operational lifespan.

Working closely with Lloyds/LRQA, we ensured all inspections aligned with their WSE, giving Vital Energi confidence that the asset was ready for commissioning and compliant with rigorous verification standards.

Beyond UTTM, MITS provided a full suite of NDT and QA/QC services, including:

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
• Radiography Testing (RT)
• Phased Array UT (PAUT)
• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT)
• Dye Penetrant Testing (PT)
• Eddy Current Testing (ECT)
• Visual Inspection (VI)
• Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM)
• Positive Material Identification (PMI)

Our Rope Access team facilitated safe, efficient work in challenging locations, while also supporting electrical installation, mechanical and engineering tasks, insulation, welding, cladding, and fire protection. By combining inspection, technical expertise, and specialist access solutions, we created a seamless service capable of addressing every aspect of plant readiness.

Outcomes That Matter

By embedding MITS into the project from day one, Vital Energi now has a complete baseline dataset that will guide maintenance, inspections, and operational decisions for years to come. The plant is fully aligned with Lloyds/LRQA standards and prepared for commissioning, helping ensure that it can deliver its 30 MWe capacity and process 320,000 tonnes of RDF annually with minimal risk. Beyond technical compliance, the project supports the local economy by creating dozens of skilled jobs. More importantly, the Port Clarence facility will contribute a significant baseload of renewable energy to the national grid, helping meet UK energy security objectives.

Through proactive inspection, multi-disciplinary support, and a long-term integrity strategy, MITS has positioned Vital Energi’s Port Clarence plant for safe, reliable, and sustainable operation, transforming a long-stalled facility into a critical regional energy asset.