Heat and Power Project underway

20 Nov 2014
North London Waste Authority has today announced the start of the North London Heat and Power Project - a £450-500 million Energy Recovery Facility at the Edmonton EcoPark in the London Borough of Enfield to replace the existing Energy from Waste plant, which is coming to the end of its operational life. 
  • Replacement local energy facility consent process launched North London aims for at least 50 per cent of waste to be recycled by 2020
  • Replacement energy facility at the Edmonton EcoPark, Enfield will use waste left over after recycling as a fuel to create electricity and generate heat for local homes and businesses
  • First of two phases of consultation to help shape the proposals starts on 28 November and ends on 27 January 2015 with the second phase planned for May - June 2015
  • North London Waste Authority will demolish the existing Energy from Waste plant after moving operations to the new one in around 2025

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has today (20 November 2014) announced the start of the North London Heat and Power Project - a £450-500 million Energy Recovery Facility at the Edmonton EcoPark in the London Borough of Enfield.  This would replace the existing Energy from Waste plant at the EcoPark that has served north London well for around 45 years but is coming to the end of its operational life.

NLWA and the seven boroughs in the area have agreed a joint target for north London to aim for at least 50 per cent of its waste to be recycled by 2020. Using fuel – waste collected by the seven boroughs which cannot be recycled - the replacement facility would generate power for around 127,000 homes and could provide heat for local homes and businesses. Heat would be distributed locally through schemes like Enfield Council’s planned Lee Valley Heat Network.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, said: “We want to prevent waste, we want you to recycle it and anything you can’t, we’re going to turn into fuel and use it to heat and power homes.

“We’re already doing it and this way we can continue to do it, which is good news for jobs, investment and sorting out north London’s waste problem.

"We are going to set the benchmark with this project: We want the best technology available when it comes to air quality, the best design available in terms of how it looks, and best of all, in my opinion, is we’re going to be able to heat people’s homes for many years to come.

“This is planning ahead. This replacement facility will still be heating homes when young Prince George is in his 40s."

NLWA is committed to improving air quality in north London: The new facility will set a benchmark for similar projects in the UK and across Europe when controlling emissions, being capable of achieving levels of 60 per cent below the current permissible limits.  This will make the replacement amongst the best, if not the best, in the UK and Europe.

The existing facility employs around 180 people and a replacement would ensure there are manual and highly-skilled jobs on the site for many decades to come.

There will also be many construction jobs involved in building the new plant – expected to start around 2022 and last for three years -, as well as jobs involved in the demolition of the existing Energy from Waste plant.

The scheme ensures the EcoPark will continue to be a hub for energy and renewable heat expertise. It would provide significant investment in the local Edmonton area and provide opportunities for local business to supply services.

Consultation

As part of the consultation, NLWA is keen to hear views on what local people would like to see as part of the community benefits that the Project can bring. 

NLWA will hold two rounds of consultation as part of the Project: The first round starts next week (28 November 2014 until 27 January 2015) and gives everyone the chance to help shape the plans. During the second round (May – June 2015) we will consult on the details of the plans.

The site is already earmarked by Enfield Council and the Mayor of London for ongoing waste management use, however due to the amount of electricity it will generate NLWA must submit an application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate will examine the proposal and will hold a series of local hearings before making a recommendation to the Government, which will then make a decision on whether to grant the DCO.

Councillor Clyde Loakes added: “This is a very prescriptive planning process set out by the Government for projects like these. We will use this process to ensure we get the best project for north London.”

NLWA is holding public exhibitions where there will be an opportunity to discuss the proposals face to face with members of the project team at the following locations:

Lee Valley Athletics Centre 61 Meridian Way, N9 0AR

  • Friday, 5 December 2014, 3pm – 8pm
  • Saturday, 6 December 2014, 11am – 5pm
  • Wednesday, 14 January 2015, 3pm – 8pm

Green Towers Community Centre, Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, N9 0BU

  • Monday, 8 December 2014, 10am – 8pm
  • Thursday, 15 January 2015, 10am – 8pm
  • Saturday, 17 January 2015, 11am – 5pm

Boundary Community Hall, Snells Park, N18 2SY

  • Thursday, 22 January 2015, 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Further information is also available on the project website www.northlondonheatandpower.london

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