Wheelabrator Parc Adfer enters operation at Deeside

www.wtiparcadfer.co.uk

JANUARY 2020 SERVICE COMMENCEMENT EDITION

PROJECT UPDATE 05

Following a successful commissioning phase during summer and autumn 2019, Wheelabrator Technologies’ Parc Adfer hits a major milestone as it enters commercial operation.

The milestone ends 3 years of construction, during which time more than 500 jobs were created and more than £40 million spent across the project’s supply chain.

Wheelabrator Technologies estimates around £10 million has been awarded to local Deeside contractors and suppliers, with many millions of pounds invested in local services throughout construction.

Wheelabrator Parc Adfer will now enter its operational phase, meaning the facility will begin taking non-recycled waste from across the five county councils that make up the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project. The county councils involved are Flintshire County Council, Denbighshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Gwynedd Council and Isle of Anglesey County Council.

Each year, Wheelabrator Parc Adfer will process approximately 200,000 tonnes of non-recycled waste from homes and businesses, producing enough renewable energy to power 30,000 local homes. It will also contribute to the Welsh Government’s municipal waste and recycling targets

and remove 98 percent of non-recycled waste from local landfills, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recover energy from waste fuel.

Apo Sarandidis, Senior Project Manager at Wheelabrator said: “To reach this point is a huge and significant milestone for Wheelabrator Parc Adfer, and we’re delighted with how successful the construction phase of the scheme has been. The facility has helped provide inward investment across the region.”

“It’s not the end though, it’s the start of a new phase in our story. Wheelabrator Parc Adfer will continue to play a major role in the local community. Not only will we be sustainably improving waste management rates and producing renewable energy, we’ll continue to support the local community.”

“We’d like to thank all our suppliers and the local community for their support and interest throughout construction – and we look forward to welcoming members of the community to our visitor centre and the facility.”

The project so far Financial

Close15 December 2016

Service Commencement

Q4 2019

Operational20 December

2019Readiness

Q3 2019

Commissioning(first phase)

Q1 2019 – Q3 2019

Commissioning(second phase) Q3 – Q4 2019

Engineering/ Design

Q1 2017 – Q3 2019

ConstructionQ1 2017 – Q3 2019

Acceptance TestingQ4 2019

COMMISSIONING is the process of testing key aspects of a facility ahead of operation. During two phases in August to October 2019, the Wheelabrator Parc Adfer, CNIM and Clugston teams extensively tested the facility – including the furnace and boiler. We received our first waste deliveries in August, allowing us to undertake the final commissioning. COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUNDING was first announced at the end of 2017. The fund (see page three) has donated more than £50,000 to 30 community groups and initiatives since launch. It will be replaced with a new annual fund in 2020. PEAK CONSTRUCTION is the point at which our activity was at its height. We had more than 350 people on site during our busiest periods lasting over a year and we’ve peaked at approximately 500 people working at Wheelabrator Parc Adfer for more than three months. Between 30 and 60 percent of our construction workforce has come from the local1 area, depending on the level of skill and type of work that’s been required at different times.

SERVICE COMMENCEMENT means the facility has completed construction and can begin commercial operation. It also means the running of Wheelabrator Parc Adfer is handed over from our construction project manager to our plant manager and his team of 37 people. THE VISITORS’ CENTRE which will be operated by Wheelabrator Parc Adfer has been designed to educate visitors on the waste hierarchy and the role of Wheelabrator Parc Adfer. It is anticipated that the Visitors’ Centre will be used by schools and colleges across the North Wales region.

The Centre is designed to a very high standard with interactive exhibits, games, educational films, a seminar room, reception and welfare facilities.

New Community Benefit Fund to be announcedIn early 2020, the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project and Wheelabrator Parc Adfer will announce the details of our new Community Benefit Fund.

This will be open to groups and organisations active in the Deeside Partnership area. Applicants will need to demonstrate how funding will be used, and we will look to support local environmental initiatives. We will make more information available at www.wtiparcadfer.co.uk.

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PROGRESS TO DATE 100% COMPLETE

1. “Local” refers to members of our team who come from within a 30-mile radius of our site.

www.wtiparcadfer.co.uk

Wheelabrator Technologies is committed to being a good neighbour to the communities and individuals that live and work close to the facilities we own and operate.

Wheelabrator Parc Adfer awards more than £50,000 to local causes and initiatives

Throughout construction, we made a £50,000 Community Benefit Fund available to local organisations and groups who share our values and want to make a difference locally.

Since launching in December 2017, we approved 30 applications for funding – bringing the total awarded to £51,686. We have supported a wide and diverse range of initiatives, including:

£7,977 funding towards medical and life saving equipment £14,625 in support for maintenance or construction of new

community facilities £11,430 for community events £11,780 in funding for youth outreach £7,170 to support the aged and those with illnesses £8,000 in funding for sports and fitness activities and initiatives Seven new defibrillators for the community

Key groups that have been supported include Theatr Clwyd, Libby’s Community Café, Hawarden Cricket Club, Shotton Town Council, Rainbow Biz, Groundwork Wales and Radio Deeside.

Phil Preece, Plant Manager at Wheelabrator Parc Adfer, said: “From the outset we were clear we wanted to work closely with our nearest neighbours, and support local causes that directly benefit people that live in the area – particularly causes that prioritise wellbeing, the environment, education, safety and skills development. To have been able to support such a broad range of groups and initiatives has been fantastic, and we’re pleased the fund has been used to help so many people. We’re looking forward to continuing to grow these relationships and support more causes with the new Community Benefit Fund launching this year.”

Wheelabrator Parc Adfer awarded Sword of Honour for safety

Wheelabrator Technologies has been awarded the much-coveted British Safety Council Sword of Honour for its commitment to health and safety at Wheelabrator Parc Adfer.

The award represents the pinnacle of achievement in the world of health and safety management and is only granted to projects that meet the highest levels of care and attention. At Wheelabrator Parc Adfer, the team has achieved more than one million man hours of construction activity without a lost time incident – more than 115 years of combined work on site.

Alan Rhodes, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Manager at Wheelabrator Parc Adfer, said: “Health and safety is a cornerstone of our approach to developing and operating our facilities, and we’re proud of our ‘safety on purpose’ strategy that applies across all our teams.

“To have achieved the levels we have at Wheelabrator Parc Adfer is a big moment and represents a consistent, deliberate approach to acting in the right way across everything we do. The Sword of Honour is a major award for us and demonstrates how our culture of excellence delivers real results.”

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Pupils from Ysgol Croes Atti in Connah’s Quay joined the Wheelabrator Technologies team for a litter pick and clean up along the banks of the River Dee in September 2019 in support of Flintshire County Council’s ‘Big Dee Day’ clean-up.

The team held the litter pick at Quay River Tours at Connah’s Quay and talked to young people about the importance of the waste hierarchy and how different types of waste are treated across North Wales. As part of the day, the students also got to meet Mike Taylor, senior coastal ranger from Flintshire County Council, who talked to them about looking after the local coastline.

Rachel Smith, years three and four teacher at Ysgol Croes Atti, said: “The children were thrilled to have been able to take part. Looking after our environment and the reasons why we have a waste hierarchy are important topics, and ones that really engage younger people. Putting our teaching into practice and learning about the work Wheelabrator and councils do to keep our environment tidy was incredibly valuable and we hope to be able to do it again soon.”

Rochelle D’Cruz, Communications and Community Engagement Manager at Wheelabrator, said: “We had a great day teaching the children and staff at Ysgol Croes Atti about the importance of good environmental stewardship, and how companies like Wheelabrator and their local authority are working together to tackle issues around sustainable waste management and energy recovery.”

“We’re pleased everyone enjoyed the day and a special thanks also goes to Mike Taylor, who does a fantastic job managing the beautiful Flintshire coastline in order for us all to enjoy it.”

Wheelabrator Parc Adfer holds clean up along the banks of the River Dee

We welcome questions and queries about the Wheelabrator Parc Adfer project. The best way to get in touch with us is by emailing infoparcadfer@wtienergy.com

Information and updates on the project are also available at www.wtiparcadfer.co.uk

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