Energy from Waste (EfW) and the UK’s Energy Future: A Strategic Summary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

As the UK transitions towards net-zero emissions by 2050, the role of Energy from Waste (EfW) technologies—including incineration and gasification—is being redefined.

EfW sits at the confluence of energy production and waste management, offering a dual benefit: reliable, local power and the sustainable disposal of non-recyclable waste.

This summary outlines the evolving role of EfW in enhancing energy security, integrating with renewable energy strategies, and contributing to the UK’s ongoing efforts to achieve energy security.

Energy Security & Resillience

EfW facilities offer dependable baseload electricity, operating continuously regardless of weather conditions. Currently, they generate approximately 8–9 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually—about 2–3% of the UK’s electricity supply. While this is a modest proportion, it is strategically significant as EfW provides a domestically sourced and geopolitically secure energy input: municipal waste.

Unlike gas-fired power plants that rely on volatile international markets, EfW plants maintain operations by burning household waste, often stored on-site in waste bunkers, even during global energy crises.

This energy resilience has drawn renewed attention following recent spikes in energy prices. EfW’s ability to operate independently of external fuel disruptions reinforces its utility within a diversified, resilient energy portfolio. Nevertheless, while essential for stability, EfW’s capacity for significant growth in electricity contribution is constrained by the finite availability of residual waste.

EfW Facilities & the UK’s Waste Management Strategy

EfW facilities are integral to the UK’s waste management strategy, reducing dependency on landfilling and international waste exports.

With landfill space diminishing and methane emissions posing environmental hazards, EfW supports environmental targets by safely treating residual waste domestically.

Should international waste trade be disrupted—due to regulatory or geopolitical factors—EfW capacity ensures the UK retains the capability to manage its own waste stream while generating energy.

In this dual role, EfW enhances national infrastructure resilience by maintaining sanitation services and supporting the power grid.

Energy from Waste is Not Strictly Renewable

EfW is not entirely classified as renewable, but around 50% of the energy produced is derived from biogenic (organic) waste—qualifying it as partially renewable.

This contributes to the UK's renewable energy targets and helps to stabilize the grid during periods of low solar or wind output. Some facilities have limited capability for load modulation, and future developments may incorporate technologies like thermal storage or hydrogen production, aligning more closely with smart grid initiatives.

Decarbonising Heat Networks

EfW also has potential to contribute to decarbonising heat networks. Several new projects aim to deploy Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems to supply industrial users or district heating schemes. For example, the Edmonton facility in North London is being developed with infrastructure to heat local homes.

Such applications allow EfW to support decarbonisation not only in power generation but also in the heating sector—a major component of national greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Capture, Usage & Storage

Unabated, EfW emits significant CO₂, particularly from fossil-derived waste like plastics. This undermines climate goals unless mitigated. However, with the integration of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), EfW can become carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative due to the biogenic carbon fraction in waste. Capturing CO₂ from biodegradable waste essentially removes atmospheric carbon—akin to Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).

Projects such as Viridor’s Runcorn facility aim to capture around 1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by the late 2020s. If realised, this would elevate EfW’s status from a transitional technology to a critical pillar of net-zero infrastructure.

The feasibility of widespread CCS integration will depend on technical viability, policy incentives, and capital investment. Government support—via carbon capture funding mechanisms or negative emissions credits—will be essential to accelerate deployment.

Without CCS, EfW’s long-term future in the UK’s power sector is questionable, particularly given anticipated requirements for near-zero emissions electricity by 2035–2040.

EfW and UK Energy Policies

Despite its capabilities, EfW has not featured prominently in flagship UK energy policies. While the 2022 Energy Security Strategy and other documents highlight nuclear and renewables, EfW is acknowledged indirectly for replacing some functions of phased-out coal plants.

Critics often point to EfW’s CO₂ emissions per unit energy, which are comparable to coal, underlining the necessity for decarbonisation efforts such as CCS and pre-treatment to increase the biogenic fraction of fuel.

To remain politically viable, EfW must demonstrate efficiency, environmental compliance, and support for the waste hierarchy.

Government measures may include mandates for CHP functionality, pre-sorting to reduce plastic content, and prioritization of high-efficiency “recovery” classification under EU-derived R1 criteria. In periods of energy crisis or peak demand, EfW may also act as a contingency provider due to its continuous operation requirement for waste treatment.

Gasification offers an alternative EfW pathway by converting waste into syngas—a flexible energy vector that can be used for power, hydrogen, or synthetic fuels. Although commercial-scale deployment has been limited by technical challenges, ongoing pilot projects explore syngas-to-aviation-fuel applications. If successful, waste gasification could contribute to UK goals for domestic low-carbon fuels and hydrogen production. Nonetheless, in the medium term, incineration—particularly when paired with CCS and CHP—is likely to remain the core of EfW’s role.

Government interest in advanced conversion technologies (ACTs) remains active, with periodic grant support available, suggesting potential for future breakthroughs.

The Future of EfW in the UK

EfW holds a niche but strategically important role in the UK’s energy and waste management systems. Its value lies not in high electricity output, but in its reliability, waste-processing capability, and integration potential with renewables and net-zero strategies.

By embracing higher efficiency, district heating, and CCS, EfW can evolve from a carbon-intensive necessity to a clean infrastructure asset. Conversely, failure to adapt risks marginalization in a zero-carbon future.

The next five years are pivotal. Coordinated policy, investment, and technological innovation will determine whether EfW becomes a cornerstone of the UK’s resilient and sustainable energy future or remains a transitional tool for managing waste.