enfinium, a leading operator in the UK’s energy from waste sector, has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at decarbonising its operations and contributing to the UK’s net zero targets on a significant scale.
The ‘Net Zero Transition Plan’, underpinned by an investment programme exceeding £1.7 billion, outlines enfinium’s roadmap to achieve net zero across its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2033, surpassing the waste industry target of 2040. Central to these efforts is the deployment of carbon capture and storage technology at enfinium’s sites nationwide, enabling the generation of substantial carbon removals starting from 2030 and scaling up to 1.2 million tonnes per year by 2039.
Against the backdrop of the UK generating approximately 27 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually, enfinium’s initiative assumes critical importance in the nation’s journey towards decarbonising waste management and realising its 2050 net zero objective. Notably, about half of the UK’s non-recyclable waste comprises biogenic content, which inherently absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. Through CCS implementation, enfinium aims to capture and permanently store this CO2, effectively achieving net carbon removal.
With global demand for carbon removals surging to meet decarbonisation imperatives, the carbon market is projected to reach over $1.1 trillion annually by 2050. Leveraging the energy from the waste sector’s potential as one of the largest sources of negative emissions, enfinium’s initiative assumes strategic significance in aiding businesses to address their Scope 3 supply chain emissions.
Mike Maudsley, CEO of enfinium, expressed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of carbon capture technology, envisioning the removal of over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. He underscored carbon removals as a generational opportunity for the waste sector, advocating for collaborative efforts with governments to foster a credible pathway towards emissions reduction and green growth.
In addition to carbon removals through CCS, enfinium’s Net Zero Transition Plan outlines initiatives to support local communities in achieving net zero for their operations. These include the development of heat networks, electrolytic hydrogen production, and the provision of carbon-negative electricity via private wires, anchoring enfinium’s plants as core components of localised ‘decarbonisation hubs’.
The Net Zero Transition Plan has received independent verification from leading engineering consultancy Arup. Ben Glover, Director and UK Resources Business Leader at Arup, commended enfinium’s actionable pathway and timeline, emphasising the pivotal role of energy from waste in delivering crucial carbon removals for the UK economy.
With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment, enfinium’s Net Zero Transition Plan stands as a beacon of progress towards a greener, more sustainable future.
For more information visit www.enfinium.co.uk
