The Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 (FM1) project has successfully completed its commissioning phase and has now entered full commercial operation. FM1, a 50:50 joint venture project between power utility SSE plc and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., takes waste derived fuels from various sources of municipal solid waste (MSW), commercial and industrial waste supplying power to the National Grid.
According to a statement, the GBP 300 million (≈ EUR 326.83 million) new power station, which is located on land next to Ferrybridge ‘C’ Power Station near Knottingley in West Yorkshire, UK, commenced construction in October 2012. Following three years of building by Switzerland-headed Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) who are the main contractor, the commercial operation marks the culmination of months of commissioning activities to prove the new power station’s capabilities.
The commencement of commercial operations at the Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 project is a great achievement for everyone who has been involved and I would like to thank each and every team member for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank the whole construction work force, as well as HZI for delivering such a high-quality plant. We are excited to reach this milestone, and are now looking forward to concentrating on operating safely, successfully and efficiently, said Tom Maillet, Director of Engineering and Operations for Multifuel Energy Ltd.
HZI have now handed over full responsibility to the 46-strong Multifuel Energy operational team who will now run the FM1 facility. The final milestone in the commissioning works was reached on July 31 when HZI completed a series of operability tests.
Today marks the end of the construction phase to build the Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 project. We are proud to deliver a plant that sets a new milestone in fuel flexibility, size and energy efficiency to our customer safely and within the expected timeframe, said Franz-Josef Mengede, CEO of Hitachi Zosen Inova.
FM1 is consented to treat up to 675 000 tonnes of waste derived fuels annually. On average the plant’s throughput is expected to be 570 000 tonnes per annum. FM1 has an installed capacity of 68 MW and is able to generate low carbon electricity using a range of fuel sources, including waste-derived fuels from various sources of municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste and waste wood. The plant takes fuels from across Yorkshire and the wider region.
