FCC’s Buckinghamshire EfW plant receives first delivery

FCC Environment, a UK-based waste management company, has announced that its Buckinghamshire energy-from-waste (EfW) plant has taken its first delivery of residual waste and is generating power.

Staff at Greatmoor EfW site, near Calvert, welcomed the first batch of bulked waste recently after passing all the relevant inspections.

It means the plant — which will treat up to 300,000 tonnes of residual waste each year and uses some of the most advanced energy conversion technology in the world — has now started treating waste as part of the commissioning process and has commenced producing renewable energy through the export of electricity.

Greatmoor EfW is part of FCC Environment's 30-year residual waste treatment contract with Buckinghamshire County Council.

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 EfW plant up and running.

"The project brings with it significant economic and sustainability benefits to the county and will save council taxpayers more than £150m over the life of the contract."

'New chapter in waste management'

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."

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.

Greatmoor will generate 22MW of electricity per year - equivalent to the energy required to power up to 36,000 homes.