FCC Environment’s new energy from waste (EfW) facility in Buckinghamshire County in the UK has been officially opened to showcase its benefits to the region.

The 22MW Greatmoor EfW facility near Aylesbury was officially opened on 27 October by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO.

FCC Environment is operating the plant on the behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council through its subsidiary FCC Environment UK.

In 2013, the 30-year contract was awarded to FCC to operate the facility.

The new facility has the capacity to treat up to 300,000 tonnes of residual waste each year and will produce electricity needed to power up to 36,000 homes.

FCC Environment UK chief executive Paul Taylor said: “Greatmoor EfW will convert Buckinghamshire’s household and business waste, the material that cannot otherwise be recycled, into renewable energy.

“This will reduce the county’s dependence on landfill disposal.  The contract will run for 30 years bringing significant sustainability and economic benefits to Buckinghamshire.”

The facility will be the main disposal point for all of Buckinghamshire’s local authority waste.

 FCC said that the facility is fully operational employing 46 full time, permanent operatives.

As part of the contract between FCC and Buckinghamshire County Council, the Waste Transfer Station has been constructed to transport bulk waste to the EfW facility. 

FCC Environment’s International Division managing director – head Antonio Alfonso said: “The opening at Greatmoor follows the recent announcement that FCC will also design, build, finance and operate the Edinburgh & Midlothian EfW plant.

“These two historical milestones consolidate FCC´s position as one of the global leaders in delivering such sought-after environmental solutions, and furthermore, our continued commitment to our most important international market, the UK.”

FCC’s environmental services division currently serves more than 53 million people in 13 countries.

It has a network of more than 120 recycling facilities and 10 existing waste to energy projects with a capacity over 2.6 million tons and 300 MW power output.

Image: The Greatmoor EfW facility was officially opened on 27 October by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO. Photo courtesy of FCC Group.