Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) has started building a new £142 million Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant in Midlothian.

The company is delivering the Millerhill Resource and Energy Recovery Centre (RERC) on behalf of FCC Environment (UK). The facility is scheduled to begin operation by 2019.

Once completed, the facility will be able to treat around 135,000 tonnes of household waste per year, along with a further 20,000 tonnes of commercial waste. Overall, it will generate enough electricity to power around 32,000 homes.

The plant will help both Midlothian Council and Edinburgh City Council contribute towards their national recycling target of 70% by 2025 and the national landfill diversion target of 95% by 2025.


Speaking during a visit to the site this week, Edinburgh Cllr Lesley Hinds said: "This is a key milestone in the project to construct a major waste processing plant, and I'm delighted to see successful partnership working between authorities come to fruition.

"This new facility, alongside the new food waste treatment plant on the site, will play an important part in reducing the amount of rubbish sent to landfill for both councils, as well as providing a long-term solution for the recovery of value from the residual waste."

Midlothian Cllr Derek Rosie added: "We're absolutely delighted to see work underway on this major facility. This is a fantastic example of partnership working that will not only help both councils meet Zero Waste targets but also create jobs and bring real benefits to communities, including  producing energy for the National Grid."

Image (L to R) Cllr Derek Rosie, Cllr Jim Bryant and Cllr Lesley Hinds.

(LM)