In the UK, enfinium Group, a leading energy from waste (EfW) operator, has announced that it has commenced operations at its Skelton Grange Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility in Leeds. The new, state-of-the-art facility will play a critical role in driving a circular economy and contributing to UK decarbonisation by diverting non-recyclable waste from high-emissions landfill sites and supplying reliable, homegrown power and heat.
Designed and built by Switzerland-headed global green technology company Kanadevia Inova AG (previously known as Hitachi Zosen Inova – HZI), the 49 MWe Skelton Grange EfW plant will divert up to 410,000 tonnes of unrecyclable waste from emissions-intensive landfill annually.
Commencing operations at our Skelton Grange facility is a major step forward in our strategy to deliver homegrown energy and decarbonisation powered by waste. Skelton Grange will play a key role in building a more circular economy by turning unrecyclable waste into homegrown electricity and heat to supply nearby businesses and homes across Leeds. It will also directly support local communities by providing over £100,000 of philanthropic funding every year to community and environmental projects, said Mike Maudsley, CEO of enfinium.
Official opening
Marking the occasion, enfinium hosted an open day at Skelton Grange on September 12, 2025, for employees, partners, and regional stakeholders to highlight how the site will be instrumental in driving a circular economy and contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation goals, and to celebrate the work of the teams who have brought the project to this stage.
The successful completion of the construction phase marks the continuation of a strong partnership between enfinium and Kanadevia Inova, who previously delivered the Ferrybridge 1 and Ferrybridge 2 facilities in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire.
The Skelton facility features Kanadevia Inova’s advanced moving grate technology and the sophisticated XeroSorp dry flue gas cleaning system, enabling the facility to meet stringent emission standards.
The plant will also deliver outstanding environmental performance and high availability to the operator.
Kanadevia Inova is proud to have built the Skelton Grange facility for our long-standing client, enfinium. This facility is a testament to the value of modern waste-to-energy plants in contributing to the UK’s journey to deliver sustainable waste management. Diverting valuable non-recyclable residues from landfill and investment in world-leading waste infrastructure will benefit current and future generations, said Daniel Dreier, EVP Waste to X & Renewable Gas Plants at Kanadevia Inova.
Employment boost
Energy from waste sites across the UK helps reduce overall emissions by diverting non-recyclable material from landfill, which generates nearly twice the amount of harmful climate-warming emissions, according to a report by Fichter Consulting Engineers.
In 2024, enfinium diverted over 2.3 million tonnes of unrecyclable waste from landfill, avoiding nearly 560,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and recovering low-carbon electricity equivalent to powering over 500,000 homes and businesses.
The construction of the site has provided a boost to the local economy with an investment of over £500 million in its development.
Over 400 jobs were created during the construction phase, and, now operational, the facility has contributed over 40 high-quality full-time roles.
Once the site of a coal-fired power station, this new energy recovery facility is a symbol of both the site’s economic renewal and a new way of generating power. This new Skelton Grange facility will take unrecyclable waste otherwise destined for landfill and use this instead to produce electricity and heat, as well as recover metals and other useful materials to support a circular economy, said Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds South, in her remarks.
As part of its commitment to working in partnership with local communities, over £100,000 of funding will be made available annually through a new Skelton Grange Philanthropic and Community Fund, which will provide support to appropriate community and environmental projects.
enfinium’s investment is a boost for our region’s economy. It’s creating local jobs, putting money back into our communities, and powering a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all, said Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Plans to utilize the heat
In February 2025, it was announced that the Aire Valley Heat and Power Network, an innovative low-carbon heating and electricity scheme in Leeds, was awarded £19.5 million in funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund3.
The scheme will harness heat from enfinium’s Skelton Grange facility to offer reliable, sustainable heating to local businesses.
Skelton Grange will also be able to supply electricity via private wires, providing homegrown, reliable baseload power to nearby users without the need for grid connections.
I was delighted to visit the new Energy from Waste site at Skelton Grange run by enfinium in August. It’s a remarkable facility that will make a big difference in the city in a number of ways. Firstly, in terms of the wider circular economy and the need to manage our city’s waste. But also in being a catalyst for regeneration in the area, alongside other key projects such as the Aire Valley heat network and Microsoft’s new data centre. We really welcome the arrival of the project in Leeds and associated investment and employment opportunities, commented Ed Whiting, CEO, Leeds City Council.
