Under the proposals, heat will be provided from both Cory’s current 750,000 tonnes per year capacity Energy from Waste (EfW) in Belvedere, and an adjacent 800,000 tonne plant which was approved by the Planning Inspectorate last month (see letsrecycle.com story).
Cory says once finalised it will be able to provide heat for 20,000 households nearby from the two plants. The second recently-approved plant has an operational aim of 2024.
The two companies are aiming to deliver “affordable, low carbon” heat to communities in South East London. Advisors Inventa Partners have also been appointed to work on the project.
Andy Pike, director of strategic infrastructure Development at Cory Riverside Energy, said: “We are pleased to be working with Vattenfall and Inventa Partners on our heat network. Their skills and expertise will help us provide local homes and business with a clean, renewable and reliable source of heat.”
District
The move for a district heating scheme comes after the Greater London Authority specifically mentioned the lack of offtake of heat from the plant in its response to the consultation on the proposed facility.
“When delivered, this district heating network will deliver low carbon and affordable heat to thousands of customers in East London”
“For the avoidance of doubt, an EfW facility that generates electricity only is not acceptable; it must also capture heat,” the GLA said.
Initially, Vattenfall will work with Cory on an application for Heat Network Investment Partnership funding from the Government. They will also design the heat network, and lead on construction of the heat network infrastructure, as well as its long-term operation and delivery of services to customers.
Mike Reynolds, managing director of Vattenfall Heat UK, said: “This bold partnership with Cory Riverside and Inventa Partners is exactly the working relationship we were seeking when we entered the market, and we are delighted to be appointed. When delivered, this district heating network will deliver low carbon and affordable heat to thousands of customers in East London and will also play a critical role in enabling the development of new sustainable housing in Bexley and surrounding boroughs in East London.”
Vattenfall is the largest operator of district heating networks in western Europe and provides heat network services to 1.7 million households across the EU. Inventa Partners have experience of working with developments such as Battersea Power Station, Ikea and Westfields on secondary asset opportunities.
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