Major Win for MWH/Black & Veatch Power Generation JV

Solihull, United Kingdom. The MWH and Black & Veatch joint venture (JV), MBV Energy Recovery, will execute a £87 million waste-to-energy project in Cheshire, UK. The win is a renewable energy plant, developed by CoGen UK, at Ince Park Resource Recovery Centre. The plant will export 21.5 MW (megawatts) of clean, affordable power, utilising over 150,000 tonnes of material that would otherwise go to landfill.

Funding for the project is being provided by the Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, a new investment entity that is building a portfolio of waste-to-energy assets. The group comprises Infracapital, Aurium Capital Markets, Foresight Group and Helios Energy Investments.

MBV Energy Recovery, a 50:50 JV will deliver the Ince plant on an engineer, procure, construct (EPC) basis. The UK market for small-scale, waste-to-energy plants is strong; the JV believes Ince will be the first of several similar wins between now and spring 2016.

Ian Miller of MWH, and business director of the JV, commented, “The JV will enable us to build upon the success we’ve had at MWH in the waste-to-energy market, in particular the gasification projects for both Birmingham and Welland Bio Power which will be delivering some 20 MW of renewable energy to the grid.”

Miller added, “The JV is a hugely exciting collaboration between two complementary organisations. It brings a broad dynamic together with experienced resources and a significant combined strength. This will enable us to satisfy a broad spectrum of market demands, and deliver projects that contribute to the UK’s renewable energy objectives as part of the future energy mix.”

“Black & Veatch has been involved in more than 200 gigawatts of power generation projects worldwide. We have a strong record in the UK for furthering energy efficiency and power generation objectives of both private energy and water utility clients,” said Scott Aitken, managing director for Black & Veatch’s water operations in Europe.

“We are excited about Ince and the opportunities on which the JV is focusing,” said Aiken. “This project demonstrates our ability to bring together global power generation expertise, including renewable energy leadership and proven EPC capabilities for seamless delivery.”

The JV’s gasification projects will help address demand for energy in the UK in an environmentally responsible manner using waste wood or other refuse-derived fuels. The work will also help meet the UK’s landfill diversion and carbon reduction objectives.