Powerhouse Energy Group is signalling a shift from development to delivery as it builds commercial momentum across its waste-to-energy technology.
Chief executive Paul Emmitt points to growing traction from the company’s Feedstock Testing Unit and a rising pipeline of live project enquiries.
In this interview with Proactive, he outlines how early-stage validation is beginning to translate into contracts, partnerships and a more commercially focused strategy.
Proactive: Paul, very good to speak with you. This week's update feels like a shift from promise to traction, from your first non-Engsolve revenue contract to around ten live project enquiries. Are we seeing Powerhouse move into a more commercial phase now?
Paul Emmitt: Yes, I think so. We've worked pretty hard since the opening of the FTU [feedstock testing init in Bridgend] nearly 16 months ago. People are starting to see that we have something tangible they can come and look at and take forward into feasibility. The more people we get through the door, the more they understand the expertise Powerhouse has as a business.
The battery project [announced this week] came from offering free testing to a local company, which grew into a partnership and has now resulted in a contract. It’s something the team is proud of because it’s not an Engsolve project. It represents a real step forward.
Once people see that we know what we’re doing, have the equipment, and can show tangible results, it helps drive the system forward. I’d say we’re entering a far more commercial phase than ever before.
Proactive: Ballymena remains the flagship. What milestones should investors watch this year?
Paul Emmitt: Ballymena is extremely important. Planning is progressing, and once we receive feedback from the Environment Agency, we can move into permitting. We’re also testing waste from our preferred supplier at the FTU, which looks promising.
We’re engaging with offtakers in Northern Ireland, but it’s a process: planning, then permits, and then further commitments. It’s a system we have to follow.
Proactive: You mentioned global opportunities. Where is demand strongest?
Paul Emmitt: It varies by region. In Chile, it’s about decarbonisation. In the Caribbean, it’s about moving away from diesel. In the Middle East, it’s driven by energy security.
More broadly, demand is increasingly shaped by practical steps toward decarbonisation rather than strict net zero deadlines. Our technology is transitional, and there’s growing recognition of that. At the same time, energy security is a key driver; people need alternatives to fossil fuels.
Proactive: You’ve got ten live enquiries. What will convert these into revenue?
Paul Emmitt: These projects take time. Clients go through stages: NDAs, feasibility studies, technical and economic assessments, and financial approvals. External uncertainty can delay decisions.
It’s not like selling a product off the shelf; these are complex developments. While we aim to move faster than industries like oil and gas, we still have to follow a structured process driven by the client.
Proactive: Thank you for your time.