The replacement for the 1970s incinerator in Edmonton is behind schedule reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Construction of the new incinerator is said to be progressing slowly (LDRS image)
An outdated incinerator providing power to north London will stay in use well beyond its lifespan, as progress slows on its replacement.
The Edmonton EcoPark, built in the mid 1970s, will remain operational “up to and beyond 2030,” the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) says.
However, this is “significantly past design life” for its mechanical, electrical and civil infrastructure, according to a report published in December.
The NLWA is controlled by councillors from Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest, and is responsible for disposing of waste from the seven boroughs.
A replacement energy facility was initially slated to begin operation in 2027, and while construction is ongoing, no clear timeline has been established by the authority.
In August, the project’s overseers said it was being hindered by local and international challenges. They pointed to Brexit, the war in Ukraine, and high interest rates impacting the cost of raw construction materials.
Councillor Clyde Loakes, a non-executive director of the NLWA and deputy leader of Waltham Forest Council, said that month that work “had not stopped” despite rumours and “construction progress continues to be made, with over 200 workers on site”.
The budget has climbed from £1.2billion to £1.5bn, and a total of £66.5million has been allocated to the project from the Heat Networks Investment Project, a government-funded scheme aimed at increasing the number of networks in England and Wales.
Top councillors in Haringey agreed the month prior to shelve plans to pipe heat from the incinerator, citing “economic turbulence” and the need for “prudent” management.
According to the December report, the authority received 22 complaints between July and September.
They primarily related to traffic congestion, long queues, “early or inconsistent” closing times, and “unclear guidance” on residency and requirements for booking vans.
Other residents reported bad odours, and complained about the impact of cars queueing on their streets.
However, the authority received some 40 ‘compliments,’ focused on the “friendliness and helpfulness of staff, the cleanliness and organisation of sites, and the positive experiences of visitors”.
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