Photo of the Slough Multifuel, energy-from-waste facility. The facility is located in a large industrial area known as Slough Trading Estate. It is a large, grey building. Image courtesy of Hitachi Zosen Inova.
SSE Thermal and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), partners of a new energy-from-waste facility in Slough, have entered commercial operations ahead of schedule.
About Slough Multifuel
Slough Multifuel will produce electricity and heat through burning waste-derived fuels made from various sources of:
- municipal solid waste
- commercial and industrial waste
- waste wood
The 55MW facility will divert thousands of tonnes of waste away from landfill. It will convert it into a valuable source of energy. The facility is expected to process around 480,000 tonnes of residual waste each year. The station will support the UK Government’s strategy to reduce landfill waste and the export of waste.
Operations begin at Slough Multifuel
On 22 August, a completion certificate was granted, allowing the plant to begin operations ahead of schedule. It has a 15-year capacity agreement* which is due to commence on 1 October 2024. Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) has been granted a 25-year contract to deliver operations and maintenance at Slough Multifuel.
Finlay McCutcheon, Managing Director of SSE Thermal, said: “Slough Multifuel will fulfil an important role in the UK’s electricity system and help divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill. The successful delivery of the project is testament to the partnership between SSE and CIP, which spans multiple projects and continues to create genuine value.
“It also highlights our ability to deliver large capital projects, with this particular project being a highly complex one due to the constrained nature of the site. Working with HZI, we have navigated that challenge and can take real pride in doing so safely.”
Florian Küster, partner at CIP, said: “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone together with our partners in SSE Thermal. Since 2020 we have worked efficiently side-by-side and we are proud to have delivered a plant that makes a significant contribution to the green transition in the UK and creates value for society, the local community and our investors.”
Daniel Dreier, Executive Vice President Waste to X & Renewable Gas Plants at HZI, said: “To safely and successfully complete the construction of the Slough Multifuel facility brings a great sense of pride for HZI. Our project team, engineers and subcontractors have delivered another vital piece of UK waste to energy infrastructure.
“HZI has created local supply chains and new employment at each stage of the development, using high precision construction techniques, intelligent engineering and considerate construction practices throughout the build. My congratulations to all involved. HZI looks forward to operating this facility on behalf of SSE and CIP, reliably powering local communities and businesses for many years to come.”
Contributing to Slough’s circular economy
The steam produced by Slough Multifuel will contribute to Slough’s circular economy. It will be reused by a neighbouring business decarbonising its energy-intensive operations over the long term. This important relationship will expand the established circular economy on the estate.
Find out more about Slough Multifuel on the SSE Thermal website.
* Slough Multifuel received a 15-year agreement for 42MW of de-rated capacity at an auction clearing price of £18/kW.