The North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has signed a contract with Acciona to build an energy from waste plant in Edmonton, Enfield to replace Europe’s oldest EfW plant, which began operating in 1971.

The plant will take in black-bag waste and convert it to power and heat as part of the £1.2 billion North London Heat and Power Project (NLHPP), which will serve seven north London boroughs – Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, and Waltham Forest.
The existing energy from waste was designed for 700,000 tonnes but currently operates at a lower capacity due to its age so some waste is being sent elsewhere including to landfill. But NLWA says the new ERF can operate well under this capacity once systemic change occurs, more materials are recyclable and recycled, and less waste is generated. The first stage of works is funded with £280 million low-interest loan from the Public Works Loan Board.

The plant will use Selective Catalytic Reduction technology to convert the nitrogen oxide created by incinerating waste into water and nitrogen. It will be able to install carbon capture after 2030, aligned with the development of a south-east industrial cluster and ahead of the 2050 CCS backstop for all energy-from waste facilities as advised by the Climate Change Committee in the Sixth Carbon Budget.

The organisation said the plant will save an estimated £20 million a year or £1 billion over its lifetime, compared with waste disposal via third parties.