That’s according to operator, FCC Environment (UK), which signed a 25-year contract to deliver and operate the £142 million plant in October 2016.
The new energy from waste plant, which will mainly serve the company’s contract with the City of Edinburgh and Midlothian councils, commenced construction in October 2016 and has been receiving residual waste since October 2018 for commissioning purposes.
A further “significant milestone” was achieved in December 2018, FCC says, with the generation of energy from the plant’s 13 MW turbine commencing.
The Millerhill RERC was developed jointly with the two Scottish councils, in a partnership with FCC . Waste will also be sent to the plant from East Lothian council.
The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) role is being delivered through a joint venture between FCC Medio Ambiente SA and Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI),
The plant will have the capacity to process around 155,000 tonnes of household and commercial residual waste. It will generate sufficient electricity to satisfy the energy demand of up to around 32,000 households, FCC said. In conjunction with the partner councils, district heating proposals are also being developed.
‘Welcome news’
Commenting on the announcement, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convener for the City of Edinburgh council, said: “It’s very welcome news that this excellent new facility is entering full operation ahead of schedule. By working together, both Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils will be able to benefit from this state-of-the-art thermal treatment solution for our residual waste.
“By working together, both Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils will be able to benefit from this state-of-the-art thermal treatment solution for our residual waste.”
Cllr Lesley Macinnes,
City of Edinburgh council
“As a council, we are fully committed to cutting the amount of waste that ends up as landfill. This new facility will be key to our efforts, while also providing a long-term solution for the recovery of value from the residual waste.”
A spokesperson for Midlothian council said: “I am delighted to see this partnership project coming to fruition and generating green energy ahead of schedule. The plant will be a huge asset, helping both councils meet Zero Waste targets and diverting an astonishing 155,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.”
Food waste
A separate facility, which takes all of the food waste collected by the partner councils, is already in operation on the neighbouring site to the RERC. It is hoped these new facilities to treat both food and non-recyclable waste, creating renewable energy in the process, will help both authorities contribute to the national recycling target of 70% by 2025 and the national landfill diversion target of 95% by 2025.
Subscribe for free