MVV officially starts construction of new Dundee Energy from Waste CHP Plant
Modern facility will replace existing power plant at Baldovie / German Energy Company invests £125 million in long-term sustainable solution for waste from Dundee and Angus
Construction of the new Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power Facility at Forties Road in Dundee has now officially started. German energy company MVV launched the work today together with representatives of the project’s partners, the City of Dundee, Angus Council and tyre manufacturer Michelin. As a symbol for a strong and sustainable partnership, three trees were planted on the grounds of the facility.
Over the next two years, a state-of-the-art power plant will be built in the immediate vicinity of the existing plant. It will use the waste from the region to generate electricity and heat in a highly efficient process. The main recipient for the heat is the neighbouring Michelin plant.
"This facility is an essential part of the successful circular economy; a key element of the transition to a resource-efficient economy and environment," emphasized Dr. Georg Müller, CEO of MVV Energie AG. “It offers significant advantages for all three partners and therefore for the region as a whole. We are glad to be part of this cooperation.” John Alexander, Leader of Dundee City Council, said: “It is great to see this huge step for the future of waste disposal for both Dundee and Angus making such significant progress.
“The plant represents another ambitious stake in the local economy by two giants of the European commercial world, which will supply essential services and add value for years to come. Developing and delivering a much more environmentally-friendly way of handling waste was vital for both local authorities as we move toward meeting aspirational new targets.”
Former Angus Council Leader, Cllr Bob Myles said: “All of us at Angus Council are delighted to see work begin on our new Energy from Waste Facility. It represents a hugely positive investment in all our futures in Angus and Dundee and that of our citizens of the present and the future.
“We’re proud of our record in sustainable waste and turning waste to energy, as well as our place among the leading Scottish councils when it comes to recycling. But we recognise there is always more that we can all do and we very much look forward to a long and successful partnership with our Dundee colleagues and MVV.”
John Reid, Factory Manager of the Dundee Michelin Plant, added: “This is a perfect project for Michelin, Dundee and all of Scotland. As a manufacturing plant, we operate in an extremely competitive world, and this innovative project offers us a real gain in terms of industrial performance while at the same time contributing significantly to improving the environment.”
Sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost effective
The new facility provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost effective way to dispose of the waste of Dundee and Angus, diverting all of residual waste from landfill. The plant helps the council meet the obligations in respect of Zero Waste Scotland and to continue reductions in environmental impacts. By using process heat from the facility, Michelin stands to cut its energy costs significantly. In addition, MVV as operators can exploit the full energy efficiency potential of the facility.
At the end of November 2017, MVV took over the existing energy from waste facility in Dundee; while operating this, MVV is investing £125 million in total to build a new combined heat and power (also known as CHP) facility and operate it for 25 years. The new line will commence operations in 2020, when the existing plant will be shut down.
The new facility will have an annual throughput of 110,000 tonnes of residual waste. The majority of this will come directly from Dundee City and Angus councils. Commercial and industrial waste sourced by MVV from the region will make up the difference.
With an overall efficiency of up to 55 percent when in CHP mode, it will produce up to 9 megawatts of electricity and 17 megawatts of heat. The heating energy will be supplied as process steam to Michelin.
The Dundee facility is MVV’s third project in the UK. In Plymouth, MVV operates an Energy from Waste CHP facility and supplies the adjacent dockyard with electricity and heat. In Ridham Dock (Kent), MVV has constructed and operates a biomass plant which uses waste wood to generate sustainable energy.
