Prince Charles operates giant crane during visit to energy plant on tour of southwest
THE Prince of Wales has taken the controls of a giant crane during a tour of a heat and power plant.
Charles sat in the control seat of the gantry crane and grabber at the MVV Energie plant in Devonport, Plymouth.
As the Prince used the joystick to control the large grabber picking up rubbish and depositing it into a chute leading to a 1,000C furnace, he joked: "We could be here for hours."
He saw rubbish being turned into electricity at the plant on the final day of a three-day tour to the Duchy of Cornwall.
The energy plant is run in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council.
It opened last year and treats 245,000 tons of waste per year and generates heat and electricity used in the nearby Devonport naval base.
It opened last year and treats 245,000 tons of waste per year and generates heat and electricity
Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have carried out a series of engagements across the region celebrating local food and drink, the region's stage and screen talent and environmental and charitable work.
After the tour Charles joined a private round-table discussion to explore how similar plants can be developed in other places across the country.