Greatmoor energy from waste plant celebrates third anniversary

The Greatmoor energy from waste plant near Aylesbury, which commenced operation on Thursday 14th July 2016, has celebrated its third anniversary.

The plant generates electricity from non recyclable waste rather than sending it to landfill. It is the largest single investment Buckinghamshire County Council has ever made and is run on the authority’s behalf by long-term partners FCC Environment.

Operationally, Greatmoor is exceeding expectations in its output of green energy to the National Grid. On average, the plant produces sufficient power to supply more than 40,000 homes.

Cost savings resulting from the avoidance of landfill charges are already making a difference to the County Council’s budget, helping it to provide essential services to the more vulnerable members of the community. The plant is currently well on track to make the forecast savings to the Council of £150 million over 30 years.

With a record number of visits during June 2019, Greatmoor has just welcomed its 5,000th visitor as part of its ongoing education and visitor programme. The 5,000 person point was passed at the open day on Wednesday 3rd July 2019 when members of the public were given a tour of the plant.

Commenting on the achievements of Greatmoor over its first three years, County Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment Bill Chapple OBE said: ‘As visitors find out when they tour the plant, Greatmoor has totally changed the way we handle our waste in Buckinghamshire. Instead of burying it in the ground, we use it to generate electricity that helps reduce the need for burning fossil fuels – and at the same time it makes great cost savings for the Council.

Working with our partners FCC Environment, in three years we’ve been able to set Greatmoor well on track to realising our hopes and expectations for what has been the County Council’s largest ever single investment. Greatmoor is a tremendous asset to be passing on to the new unitary authority.‘

Steve Brown, Director of Green Energy at FCC Environment, commented: ‘We are extremely proud of the contribution Greatmoor makes to the county of Buckinghamshire, reducing the non-recyclable waste sent to landfill and producing green energy from it instead. We look forward to continuing FCC’s successful partnership with the County Council and its successor.‘

Further information on Greatmoor, including how to book your place on an open day visit or to book a group or school visit, can be found at https://www.greatmoor.co.uk/.