Energy-from-waste (EfW) operator enfinium has completed what it describes as the largest programme of engineering works undertaken at one of its facilities in the past decade, following a major upgrade at its Ferrybridge 1 plant in West Yorkshire.
The facility, which has been operational since 2015, processes up to 725,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually and generates up to 85MW of electricity – enough to power around 170,000 homes and businesses. Ferrybridge 2, located on the same site, has an equivalent capacity.
The upgrade programme, carried out during April and May, focused on maintaining the plant’s operational performance, efficiency, reliability and environmental compliance. Central to the works was the replacement of the facility’s super heaters, the first such upgrade since the plant entered service a decade ago.
The project involved complex crane operations and support from regional supply chain partners, including Wakefield-based manufacturer Greens. Additional works included the renewal of refractory tiles to protect boiler integrity and repairs to the site’s 1.2MW induced draft fan, including the replacement of corroded pipework.
According to enfinium, the programme also highlighted workforce-led innovation. Maintenance teams developed a lightweight insulated access system to replace traditional boiler access bricks, reducing manual handling requirements and improving maintenance efficiency.
To support the project, the company established a dedicated contractor village to accommodate and coordinate the large workforce involved in the outage period. The programme also included work on ash conveying systems, routine cleaning and inspections, and targeted investment in critical infrastructure.
The improvements form part of enfinium’s wider strategy to maintain long-term resilience across its facilities while preparing for future decarbonisation measures, including the planned deployment of carbon capture and storage technology at Ferrybridge.
Dr Jane Atkinson, Chief Operating Officer at enfinium, said: “Our Ferrybridge upgrade was the largest programme of works we have undertaken at an enfinium facility in the last decade. I am immensely proud of the efficiency and engineering excellence demonstrated by everyone involved, from those who designed the upgrades through to the on-site teams who executed the works safely and seamlessly.”
The company said the investment will help ensure the long-term performance of one of the UK’s largest EfW facilities.
