Walsall Energy From Waste facility to power 500 jobs and thousands of homes
Work will soon begin on a new waste energy plant for the West Midlands to replace the region’s ageing fleet of incinerators.
Walsall Energy From Waste facility on Fryers Road is to be built and operated by energy recovery specialists Encyclis.
Due for completion in 2027, the construction phase is set to create up to 450 jobs, while the facility will support another 50 jobs once fully operational.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This important initiative will power homes here in Walsall at the same time as helping us to maintain our #WM2041 net zero commitment.
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“The West Midlands is leading the way when it comes to the Green Industrial Revolution.
“It’s great news that this scheme is set to create more than 400 local jobs and I look forward to seeing residents benefit from projects like this in the months and years ahead.”
The facility will be powered by non-hazardous waste which would otherwise end up in landfill. Instead, this material is burned to generate steam for electricity.
Ash from combustion is then processed to recover metal for recycling, while gases are collected, filtered and cleaned to minimise environmental impact.
The Walsall site stands as an ‘important addition’ to the Encyclis portfolio, says Chief Executive Owen Michaelson.
“We’re making this investment to provide Walsall and surrounding communities with a state-of-the-art public hygiene facility that will treat the area’s residual waste, generate baseload electricity and open up opportunities for sustainable district heating.
“In doing so, our facility will directly contribute to economic regeneration, creating skilled jobs and encouraging green innovation.”
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