Resource Recovery Solutions’ PPP waste project, a joint venture between international waste-to-product company, Renewi plc and Interserve Group plc has secured its green subsidies in the form of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for its Waste Treatment Centre in Derby.
ROCs are a government-funded financial support mechanism awarded by OFGEM to large-scale renewable electricity projects in the UK. They aim to increase the proportion of electricity supplied from renewable sources.
The Derby Waste Treatment Centre will generate electricity both for the national grid and additionally to power the facility itself, making it self-sufficient.
The achievement of ROCs at the Waste Treatment Centre demonstrates that the gasification unit can be operated and is able to generate green electricity. It meets a major milestone as the Waste Treatment Centre reaches the final stages of commissioning.
Securing ROCs at the approved rate is a “major step” to underpinning the future financial viability of the Waste Treatment Centre, Renwi says.
“Not only does this accreditation bring financial support to the project, it also shows how we are using innovative technologies to operate sustainably, divert waste from landfill and create valuable products from waste.”
In addition to the gasification unit, the Waste Treatment Centre comprises a Mechanical Biological Treatment (“MBT”) operation and a recycling plant. All stages of the process create valuable resources from the waste.
Up to 98% of the residual waste managed at the facility will be diverted from landfill, which will also generate enough green electricity to power approximately 14,000 homes.
The Waste Treatment Centre is the flagship part of a long-term waste contract with Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council which has been built to process waste from Derby and Derbyshire that residents do not or cannot recycle. It is currently in the final stages of the commissioning process and is expected to reach full service in mid-2018.
James Priestley, Managing Director of Renewi’s Municipal Division, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this important ROCs accreditation which is another significant milestone achieved in this project.
“Not only does this accreditation bring financial support to the project, it also shows how we are using innovative technologies to operate sustainably, divert waste from landfill and create valuable products from waste.
“We are looking forward to completing the final stages of commissioning and to providing first class, sustainable waste services for the people of Derby and Derbyshire.”