By Deborah Hardiman
Copyright expressandstar
When complete the new Encyclis plant, will use combustion technology to convert around 480,000 tonnes of waste annually into enough electricity to power up to 90,000 homes in the region and to National Grid. The enterprise wholly owned by Encyclis will have the capacity to generate a baseload of 44MW(megawatts).
Construction of the waste bunker is being followed by the main process buildings including the boiler hall as the concrete and structural steelworks are put in place. Up coming work will include the start of mechanical and electrical installation when the key components of the energy-from-waste process will be fitted. The company said the plant will strengthen its core plant facilities in the Midlands region.
In June, growing Encyclis acquired remaining shares in Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility, in Leicestershire, and Protos Energy Recovery Facility, in Cheshire, from waste firm Biffa.
New Encyclis chairman Mark Burrows-Smith said: “This is an exciting time for us. By taking full ownership of two major facilities in our core fleet, we are consolidating our position in the centre of England. The clustering of our best-in-class assets in this region brings a range of geographical benefits in terms of operational optimisation, flexibility and efficiency for waste suppliers, and progress on decarbonisation.
“At the same time, we are making good progress with our construction projects, and look forward to developing a full-scale carbon capture project at Protos. This all reinforces Encyclis’ position as one of the UK’s most significant owners and operators of energy-from-waste facilities, with a growing portfolio and a commitment to the highest standards in all areas of our business.”
The company said the Walsall development will give a new lease of life to disused industrial land and helping drive forward the West Midlands’ ambition to become a hub of green innovation.
Encyclis has been forming a supply network with a number of waste management companies which will get direct access to this safe and efficient recovery outlet. It said as many of the West Midlands’ older waste facilities approach the end of their viable lifespan, the Walsall plant near Bloxwich will provide the region with vital modern infrastructure.
It said there is a clear need to enable the recovery of resources from unrecyclable waste as part of the country’s transition to a more circular economy. Around 300 workers were being employed for the construction project.
It is hoped the site will be fully operational in 2027 and will will create around 60 jobs.
