The Facility

The Sustainable Energy Facility, which was granted planning permission in September 2006, will be situated near the Fairview Industrial Estate, Rainham. The Facility will reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill and will provide a source of renewable energy.

The plant will process approximately 98,000 tonnes per annum of solid recoverable fuel (SRF) under a long term fuel supply contract from the nearby Frog Island and Jenkins Lane Mechanical Biological Treatment plants operated by Shanks East London (Shanks). Shanks operates these facilities under the 25 year PFI contract with the East London Waste Authority. The SRF is residual household waste left after recycling. The Facility provides a more suitable and efficient solution to waste management in East London.

The plant will generate 18-20 megawatts of electrical power and approximately 10 megawatts of thermal power. The electrical power will be exported to the National Grid via a connection to the local EDF distribution network and Biossence is currently looking at the opportunity to sell the heat to the proposed London Thames Gateway Heat Network in Dagenham. A small amount of the power will be consumed by the facility itself. The electrical power generated from the non-fossil fuel derived fraction of the SRF will qualify for two Renewable Obligation Certificates per megawatt hour of generation as the plant will use an Advanced Thermal Conversion technology as defined in the Renewable Obligation Order (2009). Power generated from renewable sources will also benefit from Exemption Certificates under the Climate Charge Levy.

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