Viridor opens energy recovery facility in Peterborough

Recycling and renewable energy firm Viridor has opened a  state-of-the-art energy recovery facility (ERF) in Peterborough, UK.

The ERF enables the City of Peterborough to divert 85,000 tonnes of residual waste from landfill each year, recovering vital energy, and also offering the city another important step towards a decentralised energy network.

The plant has a generating capacity of 7.25MW (enough to power 15,000 homes).

According to Viridor, the facility is one of the most efficient in the UK and will reduce the amount of carbon the city produces by 10,000 tonnes per year.

Dan Cooke, director of external affairs for Viridor, said: “I am pleased to see Peterborough Energy Recovery Facility delivered on time and on budget for our client.

“The innovative partnership between Peterborough City Council, Viridor and our project partners has delivered a real asset for the city for the next 30 years, and is the latest to be brought in to operation in Viridor’s ERF portfolio.

“The project brings clear community benefits, providing local jobs and apprenticeships, low-carbon energy and clear economic benefits for our local authority partners in Peterborough. During the construction period alone more than £9.8m was spent in the immediate vicinity of the facility, and local supply chain opportunities will continue during the operational life of the facility.”

‘Zero-to-landfill solution’

Peterborough City Council's Cllr John Holdich said: “The plant is a real asset, enabling the City of Peterborough to realise a zero-to-landfill solution for the coming decades, along with generating revenue through the sale of electricity generated by the facility delivering value for money for our residents.

“This positions the city strongly with the aspiration of becoming the UK’s environment capital. By leading the project the council will be able to benefit by saving £1m a year over the 30 years of the contract.”