EfW-Industrial Power Connections

Energy-from-Waste could unlock faster access to power for UK data centres and industry, new research finds

  • Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities could help unlock UK growth by supplying reliable recovered power directly to nearby data centres and industrial users.

  • Private wire connections could cut electricity connection times from more than a decade to as little as 2-4 years, helping to support investment into the UK by overcoming long lead times.

  • More than 500MW of power could support industrial users in some of Britain's most grid-constrained industrial regions.
  • More than half of existing data centres are located within 10km of an EfW plant, equivalent to 350MW of reliable power; with a strong longer-term opportunity as data centre roll-out is set to grow nearly four-fold by 2030.

3 August, London – Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities could play a significant role in supporting UK industrial growth across regions by providing reliable electricity directly to industrial users and data centres through connections via private wire1, according to new research commissioned by Resource Recovery UK (RRUK) and undertaken by global sustainability consultancy ERM.  

EfW infrastructure recovers energy as a valuable by-product of managing the nation’s non-recyclable waste. The UK's existing fleet already provides around 1.7GW of reliable baseload power to the electricity market, while some facilities also supply waste heat directly to nearby homes and businesses.  

This research identifies a clear opportunity for EfW to maximise the value from this recovered energy by connecting nearby industrial users and rapidly expanding data centre businesses via private wire arrangements. Through import arrangements with the distribution network operator, EfW facilities can also offer an effective ‘bridge’ to the grid via the EfW’s own grid connection, ensuring reliable access to power via the same infrastructure.  

With huge demand for industrial electrification and AI-driven data centre expansion creating a growing challenge for available grid headroom, the report finds that private wire connections could unlock connections more quickly and ease pressure on constrained parts of the grid. 

The research finds that:  

  • More than half of existing data centres are located within 10km of an EfW plant, equivalent to 350MW of reliable power, with clusters across London and other major cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham.

  • There is an even stronger longer-term opportunity for EfW to support demand in this area, as data centre roll-out is set to follow existing locational trends and grow nearly four-fold by 2030. 

  • More than 500MW of electricity could be supplied to industrial users facing future grid constraints particularly within food & drink, chemicals and paper manufacturing.  

  • Unlike conventional grid connections, which can take seven to twelve years for larger projects, private wire connections could typically be delivered within two to four years, providing businesses with faster access to reliable power, supporting investment into the UK.  

  • EfW private wire connections can offer improved price certainty for businesses via long-term bilateral agreements. 

Mike Maudsley, Chair of RRUK and CEO of enfinium said: “Energy-from-Waste already generates reliable energy as a by-product of managing the UK's non-recyclable waste. Private wire connections present a huge opportunity to go further: responding to the surge in demand for connections from data centres and other industries. EfW facilities can help local businesses get connected much faster, providing reliable power and long-term price certainty, and, crucially, making the most of existing infrastructure that’s already in place.”  

Silvian Baltac, Lead Partner at ERM, said: "The challenge of securing reliable power is now a critical issue for many industrial businesses and data centre developers. We increasingly see projects delayed not by a lack of demand, but by the availability and timing of grid connections. This analysis highlights a significant opportunity for the UK's EfW sector to help bridge that gap. Faster private wire connections can support investment, accelerate industrial electrification and reduce emissions, as well as help unlock growth in some of the country's most grid-constrained regions." 

Andrew Newman, Executive Director at Rivington Energy, Viridor’s partner in developing AI-ready data centres across its EfW sites, said: "This report highlights the opportunity to use existing energy infrastructure to accelerate the UK's digital growth. Our partnership with Viridor shows how that can work in practice, combining reliable local power with next-generation data centre expertise. As demand for AI infrastructure grows, this is a practical way to bring new capacity online faster.”  

Notes to editors 

The report, EfW-Industrial Power Connections, was commissioned by Resource Recovery UK (RRUK) and undertaken by ERM. It examines opportunities for EfW facilities to provide electricity directly to nearby industrial users and data centres through private wire connections. 

About RRUK  

Resource Recovery UK (RRUK) is the leading alliance for UK Energy-from-Waste (EfW) operators, with members – Cory, Encyclis, enfinium and Viridor – representing the majority of the sector. An affiliate of the Environmental Services Association, RRUK advocates on behalf of the sector to promote EfW’s role in the pathway to green growth, net zero and a circular economy – one where materials are reused, repaired and recycled to their fullest potential and where the value of residual waste is maximised through resource recovery. 

For media inquiries, please contact: resourcerecoveryuk@headlandconsultancy.com  

About Viridor and Rivington Energy 

RRUK member Viridor has recently announced a partnership with Rivington Energy to develop a portfolio of AI-ready data centres powered by local electricity across Viridor's UK EfW sites. The partnership is intended to support growing demand for digital and AI infrastructure in the UK while making productive use of the reliable energy generated by Viridor's EfW facilities. You can read more about this here.  

About ERM  

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.  

ERM’s diverse team of 8,000+ world-class experts in over 150 offices in 40 countries and territories combine strategic transformation and technical delivery to help clients operationalize sustainability at pace and scale. ERM calls this capability its “boots to boardroom” approach - a comprehensive service model that helps organizations to accelerate the integration of sustainability into their strategy and operations.  

This work was delivered by ERM’s Low Carbon Solutions team which consists of 160 specialists bringing deep expertise in the development, commercialisation, and implementation of emerging low-carbon technologies across a wide range of sectors, including industrial decarbonisation (hydrogen, carbon capture utilisation and storage, electrification), low carbon fuels and chemicals, the built environment, smart energy systems, electricity and gas networks, low carbon transport and funded project management.  

About the research  

EfW-Industrial Power Connections was commissioned by Resource Recovery UK (RRUK) and undertaken by global sustainability consultancy ERM. 

The research assesses the potential for EfW facilities to supply electricity directly to nearby manufacturers and data centres through private wire connections. It examines the proximity of the UK's EfW fleet to industrial sites, data centres and electricity network constraints to identify opportunities to accelerate investment, support industrial electrification and make better use of existing energy infrastructure. 

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