SIMEC Atlantis Energy, a company usually associated with tidal energy projects, has announced that it is to convert the coal-fired Uskmouth power station in south Wales to fire pellets made from waste.  The N+P Subcoal pellets are made from biogenic waste and non-recyclable plastic, and according to the developers, have a chemical composition and heating value ‘comparable’ to bituminous coal, though the S&P Global article covering the announcement states that the calorific value is around 20 MJ/kg as opposed to 29 MJ/kg for hard coal. Co-firing of the pellets with coal is a possibility, and SIMEC is already in discussions with plant owners across the world on possible conversions. The Uskmouth conversion is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2020, and SIMEC sees the plant operating to 2040, beyond the 2025 date set by the UK government for the phase out of unabated coal firing. An agreement is already in place for the sale of the electricity produced to a nearby steel plant run by Liberty Steel, which has a co-owner in common with SIMEC.