THE Wilton energy-from-waste (EfW) facility on Teesside has officially been opened by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) Deputy Chairperson, Cllr Tony Concepcion and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK CEO, David Palmer-Jones.

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK works in partnership with MRWA and other local organisations, including Sembcorp Utilities UK which distributes power to industrial firms on the Wilton International site, to manage the household waste that's generated daily across Merseyside and Halton. Waste – which otherwise would have gone to landfill – is brought to the state-of-the-art facility on the Wilton International Industrial Estate where it is treated to generate enough electricity to power 63,000 homes.

Steam generated is also exported to local industries at Wilton on the Wilton International Industrial Estate. Residual waste from around Merseyside and Halton arrives at the Knowsley Rail Transfer Loading Station on Merseyside – operated by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK – where it is sent by rail container to Wilton energy-from-waste facility on Teesside. Transporting residual waste by rail saves the equivalent of 1,000 HGV journeys and offsets around 127,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

The official opening of the Wilton energy-from-waste facility was marked today (Thursday 14 June 2018) by a tree planting and plaque presentation.

MRWA Deputy Chairperson, Cllr Tony Concepcion, said:” We’re pleased to be here in Teesside opening our new Energy form Waste facility today. It’s been a long process for the Authority to ensure that this facility and the contract for Merseyside and Halton’s waste are both value for money and the most sustainable option for our taxpayers for many years to come. We’d like to thank MERL and SUEZ, Sembcorp and all of the many other partners, contractors and sub-contractors who have contributed to getting us to this point today.”

CEO of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, David Palmer-Jones, said:

“At the heart of this project sits both collaboration but more importantly a spirit of partnership which has created a firm foundation and an innovative solution for MRWA’s residual waste. Huge complex infrastructure projects like the Wilton EfW facility, requires the skills and dedication of many people to make them a reality but equally the vision of politicians who are entrusted by their constituents to provide long term stable solutions for the waste generated.”

Nomi Ahmad, Head of Sembcorp’s UK utilities business, said: “Wilton energy-from-waste facility is a plant that embodies everything that is good about why firms should invest in Teesside.

“It is a testament to the “can do” attitude of the people of this area and delivers not just what our existing and future customers need – reliable supplies of low carbon power and steam - but also what society needs - the sustainable re-use of a former waste product as a sustainable fuel for power generation.