The £500 million site was designed and built by Kanadevia Inova and is expected to process 410,000 tonnes of waste each year to be used to generate up to 49MW of energy.
The first waste delivery took place in March 2025, comprising of around 200 tonnes of residual material from six suppliers.
Construction of the site generated over 400 jobs, and more than 40 people have been employed in permanent roles.
Skelton Grange also has the capability to supply electricity via private wire to nearby users, offering secure homegrown power without the need for grid connections.
Mike Maudsley, CEO of Enfinium, commented: “Skelton Grange will play a key role in building a more circular economy by turning unrecyclable waste into homegrown electricity and heat to supply nearby businesses and homes across Leeds.”
Daniel Dreier, Executive Vice President Waste to X & Renewable Gas Plants at Kanadevia Inova, added: “Kanadevia Inova is proud to have built the Skelton Grange facility for our long-standing client Enfinium.
“This facility is a testament to the value of modern waste to energy plants in contributing to the UK’s journey to deliver sustainable waste management.”
Earlier this year, the Government awarded £19.5 million from the Green Heat Network Fund to support the Aire Valley Heat and Power Network, a scheme that will harness heat from Skelton Grange to provide reliable, sustainable heating to local businesses.
Ed Whiting, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds City Council, said: “It’s a remarkable facility that will make a big difference in the city, in a number of ways.
“Firstly in terms of the wider circular economy and need to manage our city’s waste. But also, in being a catalyst for regeneration in the area, alongside other key projects such as the Aire Valley heat network and Microsoft’s new data centre.
“We really welcome the arrival of the project in Leeds and associated investment and employment opportunities.”
Skelton Grange launches at facility event
Enfinium hosted an opening event at Skelton Grange to mark the start of operations, welcoming employees, partners and regional stakeholders.
The event highlighted the facility’s role in supporting a circular economy and contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation goals, while also celebrating the teams involved in bringing the project to fruition.
Keynote speeches were delivered by The Rt Hon Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds South, and Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Mayor Brabin said: “Enfinium’s investment is a boost for our region’s economy. It’s creating local jobs, putting money back into our communities, and powering a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Rt Hon Benn added: “Once the site of a coal-fired power station, this new energy recovery facility is a symbol of both the site’s economic renewal and a new way of generating power.
“This new Skelton Grange facility will take unrecyclable waste otherwise destined for landfill and use this instead to produce electricity and heat, as well as recovering metals and other useful materials to support a circular economy.”
Community projects in Leeds
In addition to its core operations, Enfinium has established the Skelton Grange Philanthropic and Community Fund
The fund will provide over £100,000 annually to support local community and environmental projects.
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