Request for information on emissions from current and replacement plant

I write in response to a question that you sent to XXX . In the letter that XXX sent to me, XXX asked us to provide certain information about the gasses released by the Energy Centre and details of assessments made of their impact on health. In addition, XXX asked that we provide you with information about what steps are being taken to reduce pollutants and improve air quality around the EcoPark.

As you may be aware, LondonEnergy operates its Energy Centre under a permit issued by the Environment Agency. This permit sets limits for the amounts of various gasses which can be released to air. The details of both our actual emissions and the limits imposed are listed below (for January to December 2018):

Material    Amount emitted (mg/m3)    EA Licensed amount

Oxides of Nitrogen expressed as Nitrogen Dioxide        350 mg/m3

Volatile Organic Compounds expresses as Carbon        20 mg/m3

Carbon Monoxide        100 mg/m3

Sulphur Dioxide        100 mg/m3

Particulate Matter        20 mg/m3

Hydrogen Chloride        30 mg/m3

In terms of assessments of the impact of health, I would draw your attention to a recent FOI reply by Public Health England (PHE). (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/health_impacts_and_waste_inciner).

This link contains the information that has been released by PHE.

To turn now to the future. As you may be aware the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is in the process of building a replacement Energy Recovery Facility at the EcoPark. The new facility, which was approved in 2017, can support a heat network for 10,000 homes and generate electricity for 127,000 homes. 

NLWA are committed to improving air quality in north London with a current plant that operates 20% better than the permitted levels of Nitrogen Oxide and a new facility that will be even more efficient, performing at more than 60% better than permitted levels. The Mayor of London’s Environment Strategy sets ambitious targets for waste to energy facilities which the new facility is designed to more than meet. Operating well below anticipated emissions limits, the future facility will be amongst the best performing of its kind in Europe.

If you need further information about the replacement facility, please either contact NLWA directly by phone on 0208 489 3940, or take a look at the North London Heat and Power Project (NLHPP) website where you can also sign up to receive further updates about the project.