New energy-from-waste plant ‘signals industry shift’

MWH Treatment has secured an EPC contract to build the 10.6MW (gross) Welland Bio Power Plant, which will divert up to 60,000 dry tonnes of waste wood away from landfill each year and save more than half a million tonnes of CO2 over the course of its lifetime.

“This new plant signals that the UK looking towards more energy-from-waste solutions,” said MWH operations director Ian Miller. “This will be the second power plant of its type and we think this new deal signals an industry shift towards similar types of projects moving forward, in order to help fill the energy gap that currently exists as well as diverting waste from landfill.

“We are working on a number of similar projects, and this gives us a great deal of confidence for the future. As well as producing clean renewable energy, this project will also ensure local jobs as well as supporting local business.”

Renewables Obligation 

The technology being implemented at Welland Bio Power Plant is a form of advanced thermal treatment of waste, where the carbon-based material in the waste is converted into a gas which is used to raise steam. This is then passed through a turbine to produce electricity. 

This is the MWH’s second waste wood gasification project in the UK, following the MWH Treatment EPC contract for the Birmingham Bio Power plant at Tyseley, which is scheduled for completion and launch in early 2016. Similar in size to the Tyseley project, much of the design and learning from the earlier Birmingham scheme will be utilised in Wellland 

The Welland project, due for completion in March 2017, has been developed by Cogen and Balfour Beatty. Investment partners Noy Infrastructure & Energy Investment Fund and Equitix MA Infrastructure Fund will each invest £17.2m.

The project will also qualify for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) – the Government mechanism for renewable energy support – as an advanced conversion technology.

Energy recovery at Sustainability Live 2015

Waste and bioenergy will be discussed in detail at Sustainability Live 2015 in April. A dedicated Energy Recovery Theatre will cut through the jargon and debate to discuss the latest policy and practice in waste-to-energy. Practical case study presentations will help visitors make their organisation more waste and energy efficient, provide practical insights on how to develop WtE solutions, and outline the options available for turning residual waste into useable energy.

Find out more and register to attend Sustainability Live 2015 for FREE here.

edie staff