The Millerhill, Midlothian Energy Recycling and Recovery Centre (RERC), near Edinburgh, Scotland, had its official inauguration in September. The Millerhill RERC has involved an investment of £142 million and has been developed by FCC Environment together with the councils of Edinburgh and Midlothian, through a contract to design, finance, build and manage the plant for a period of 25 years.

The facility is set to help both councils meet the goals of the Scottish Zero Waste government in 2025 by diverting 155,000 tonnes of waste—135,000 tonnes of household residual waste with a further 20,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste—from landfill each year. The treated waste will generate clean electricity to power 32,000 households and businesses across the region.

Construction began in October 2016 with the engineering, procurement and construction role delivered through a joint venture between FCC Environment, FCC Medio Ambiente SA and Hitachi Zosen Inova. The plant has been receiving residual waste for commissioning purposes since October 2018, beginning operation in April 2019.

The official opening event for the site brought the Partner Councils, FCC Environment and other key stakeholders together to celebrate the occasion.

“We are thrilled to join our Partner Councils to mark the official opening of the Millerhill RERC today,” said FCC Environment CEO Paul Taylor in a statement. “The facility will not only divert the large amount of waste ending up in landfill but will also generate crucial energy for local communities. This important step will benefit both councils as well as the businesses and families in the area, not to mention the environmental-friendly benefits it will deliver to Midlothian’s landscape.”