28 Oct 2024
McAuliffe has recently celebrated a significant achievement in its excavation and remediation of what will be a transformed eight acres of derelict land in Walsall, in the West Midlands into a pioneering energy-from-waste (EfW) facility.They have now reached the milestone of 2 out of 3 phases of enabling works completed and handed over to the client. Having reached this milestone, the construction can now begin.
The site, previously home to a variety of industrial operations, has long been an eyesore and an environmental concern. McAuliffe’s comprehensive remediation efforts have not only cleared the land but have also set the stage for a modern, efficient energy facility. The completed excavation work paves the way for the next phases of construction, as the area is prepared to host an EfW plant that will process an impressive 463,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year.
Once operational, the new plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 90,000 homes in the West Midlands. This is particularly crucial as the region prepares to phase out its aging fleet of incinerators. The energy recovery facility, being developed by Encyclis, represents a significant shift towards more sustainable waste management practices.
A dedicated team of specialists from McAuliffe has been working on site since December 2023, and they have expressed satisfaction with the successful completion of the early works phase. This phase included the excavation of the waste bunker area by installing a contiguous pile wall and extensive site-wide remediation, which are vital for the subsequent construction efforts.
McAuliffe will remain on site through December 2024, collaborating closely with the project’s principal EPC contractor, Hitachi Zosen Inova. As the core construction and engineering phase begins, the team is focused on maintaining momentum while ensuring safety standards are upheld.
Safety is a top priority for McAuliffe, and this commitment was exemplified during the excavation work. Team members participated in an emergency response rescue drill, simulating the evacuation of a casualty from deep within the excavation. Such drills not only prepare the team for potential emergencies but also highlight the importance of safety in high-stakes construction environments.
McAuliffe has also embraced state-of-the-art digital technologies to enhance efficiency on site. The use of dual 3D GPS systems (Trimble Earthworks platform and Topcon Positioning system) has allowed redundancy between the two systems avoiding down time and allowing continuous progress of our 3DMC plant in real-time. reduced downtime and a streamlined workflow. This innovative approach ensures that the project stays on schedule while maximizing productivity.
Energy-from-waste incinerators are increasingly recognized for their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By converting general waste, including plastics, into energy, these facilities generate electricity through the combustion process, which creates superheated steam to drive turbines. The environmental benefits are substantial: not only do EfW plants divert household waste from landfills—thereby decreasing methane emissions—but they also help offset the need for fossil fuels, promoting a cleaner energy landscape.
In addition to energy generation, the plant will facilitate the recovery of metals for recycling and utilize the ash produced in construction projects, thereby contributing to a circular economy.
As the new EfW facility moves towards its operational launch in 2027, it will rely on a steady supply of waste from various local and regional waste management companies. This collaboration is essential for ensuring the facility operates efficiently and meets the energy needs of the West Midlands community.
John McAuliffe, CEO of McAuliffe Group, expressed his pride in being part of this transformative project. He stated:
“We are very proud of our delivery capability of this complex project which has been highly collaborative with other contractors as well as the client, and has been successfully delivered on time.”
As the project continues to advance, it stands as a beacon of innovation and environmental stewardship, positioning the West Midlands at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions.
30 Oct 2024
Lewis Trout, our Apprentice Civil Engineer, aged 23, has graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a 2:1 BEng (Hons) Degree in Civil & Transportation Engineering...
28 Oct 2024
McAuliffe has recently celebrated a significant achievement in its excavation and remediation of what will be a transformed eight acres of derelict land in Walsall, in the West Midlands into a pioneer...
20 Aug 2024
Each summer, we celebrate our long-serving colleagues who have worked with McAuliffe for ten or twenty years. Directly employed by McAuliffe, and key members of our teams on site and in our offices, o...
