The plant – which has the capacity treat up to 300,000 tonnes of residual waste each year – was built under FCC’s 30-year residual waste treatment contract with Buckinghamshire county council, signed in 2012.
Development of the plant commenced after a High Court ruling in favour of the decision to approve the development by Buckinghamshire council, following a legal challenge (see letsrecycle.com story).
The first delivery of waste came from High Heavens Waste Transfer Station at High Wycombe, taking waste from Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe district councils as well as some waste from Aylesbury Vale district council.
Capacity
Greatmoor will generate 22MW of electricity per year – equivalent to the energy required to power up to 36,000 homes. The plant has been undergoing commissioning since late 2015.
Councillor Warren Whyte, cabinet member for planning and environment at Buckinghamshire county council, said: “The commencement of waste deliveries and the generation of electricity at Greatmoor is fantastic news. Not only does it mean that waste is now being put to good use via the creation of energy, it will also significantly reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
“This is the culmination of a long-term project to get the Energy from Waste plant up and running. The project brings with it significant economic and sustainability benefits to the county and will save council tax payers more than £150 million over the life of the contract.”
Gillian Sinclair, project director for FCC Environment, added: “That’s fantastic news for Buckinghamshire and the start of a new chapter in waste management which delivers a number of significant benefits to residents and the environment.”
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