Dundee’s waste-to-energy incinerator almost back online

Dundee’s waste-to-energy incinerator is almost back to full operation more than a year after being severely damaged by fire.

Dozens of firefighters were called to tackle the flames in the waste storage and sorting room, which contained about 350 tonnes of waste, in May 2012.

The fire then spread across a conveyor and into the boiler room. Now one boiler is back in action and the second is undergoing final tests.

A Dundee Energy Recycling Ltd spokesperson said: “The second boiler is due to have tests, as a precursor to the hand-over, and it could be up and running next week.”

Millions of pounds have been spent repairing the incinerator, as well as on sending household waste the site would have dealt with to landfill.

There has also been an £8 million upgrade of the incinerator plant, including a new energy-efficient system for feeding the boilers. Most of the money came from an insurance pay-out from the fire.

Fire prevention systems at DERL have also been improved, with more equipment for detecting and containing outbreaks. There is a new tipping-hall floor, updated computer controls and emission-monitoring systems.