50 MW Wheelabrator Kemsley waste-to-energy project in Kent enters full commercial operation

Wheelabrator Kemsley, a new waste-to-energy facility at Kemsley in Kent, England, enters full commercial operation following a commissioning phase throughout early 2020.

The combined heat and power facility will generate up to 49.9 MW (gross) / 44 MW (net) of sustainable, baseload electricity to power UK homes and businesses. The facility will process up to 606,000 tons (550,000 tonnes) of non-recyclable waste from across Kent and the South East. The facility is pending planning approval for additional waste capacity and electrical output.

The facility will play a major role in reducing waste sent to landfill or for European export, saving carbon emissions when compared with sending the waste to landfill and making better use of non-recyclable material in the UK through the energy recovery process. It will also provide valuable steam heat – up to 77.4 tons (70 tonnes) per hour – to DS Smith's adjacent Kemsley Paper Mill, helping to diversify its energy requirements.

Wheelabrator Kemsley was built by EPC contractor CNIM.