Energy from Waste – what could the future hold for the UK?

In the UK, we generate more than 434 million tonnes of waste every year. 26.89 million tonnes of which derive from household and municipal waste, according to DEFRA. As a nation, we depend highly upon landfill for the disposal of our waste. However, with space for landfill now in decline and gate fees and taxes increasing, coupled with the UK’s national and international commitments to combat climate change the demand for alternative, more sustainable waste management solutions and energy generation has become more pertinent than ever.

The recovery of energy from waste offers the most significant, long-term opportunity to improve waste management processes and reduce carbon emissions. Energy from waste (EfW), also known as Waste-to-energy (WtE), involves the production of electricity and/or heat by recovering the energy contained in pre-treated residual wastes. The waste is burned at high temperatures under carefully controlled conditions ensuring the process is efficient and safe.

Energy recovery is an established technology across Europe, working alongside high recycling rates and helping to meet landfill diversion targets. Despite this, EfW has a poor image in the UK. While persistent, this historical image is outdated. In order for this to change, waste has to be seen as resource. The introduction of landfill diversion targets in the mid-1990s led to a new generation of EfW plants, designed to comply with strict energy efficiency, environmental and health and safety standards. There are currently 27 energy recovery facilities in UK, although at present, the EfW sector offers one of the lowest contributions to the total waste management solution. With the introduction and support of additional EfW technologies, this contribution could be greatly increased.

EfW should be one of the cornerstones of any efficient waste management system and a way to secure energy supplies for the future. It offers a valuable source of energy which contributes to energy security as well as our renewable energy targets. The government has pledged to ensure that energy is recovered from 25 per cent of the waste we produce by 2020. The UK EfW sector contributes 1.1 per cent to the total UK energy supply, which is in line with the current EU average.

Overall, optimism surrounding both the energy and waste sectors continues to develop, with solid investment and a stronger relationship between the two markets acting as a catalyst for future growth. The UK is making substantial progress in mirroring the success of current EfW market leaders, such as the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavian countries. The outlook for EfW in the UK is very positive, this area of technology is a fundamental element of the future energy generation landscape. Therefore, it is imperative that legislative frameworks continue to reflect this movement, offering a foundation that will encourage the industry to advance.