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Incinerator information library

Information for Runcorn EFW Facility, Picow Road Farm, Weston Point, Runcorn

Status: Existing
Planning Region: North West
Planning Sub-Region: Cheshire
Operator: Ineos Chlor (Invoyn), Viridor / KKR and John Laing
Capacity: 1,100,000
Campaign Group(s): CHeshire Anti-Incinerator Network (CHAIN) and Halton Action Group Against The Incinerator (Halton Breathe/HAGATI)
Notes: Began commissioning in March 2014, followed shortly by a serious incident involving lime spillage [Source]. Two further incidents occurred in November 2014 [Source, Source]. BERR granted planning permission for the facility by in September 2008 [Source]. Possibly the biggest incinerator of its type in Europe. Issued an environmental permit in May 2011. Developer varied planning consent to increase quantity of RDF allowed through the road from 85,000ktpa to 480ktpa. Permit EP3731XL issued in May 2011. Project received a £182m loan from the European Investment Bank in 2009 [Source]. In May 2017 the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority announced plans to cancel the contract that was relied on for feedstock for the plant [Source]. Planning application to increase capacity to 1.1 million tonnes submitted in August 2017 and approved in February 2019 (18/00417/S72), and associated permit applicaion approved in March 2019 (EPR/RP3638CG/V005). In April 2021 it was reported that legal proceedings had been issued against Viridor on behalf of 196 householders "for the various alleged emissions from the plant which include noise, dust, smells and steam" [Source]. In April 2023 the Environment Agency announced a consultation on their draft decision to allow for up to 10% (110,000 tonnes per annum) of the feedstock to be mixed municipal waste (rather than RDF), and this was granted in May 2023. In July 2025 the Environment Agency issued a permit consultation for the Runcorn carbon capture facility (EPR/QP3724SE/A001). (Entry updated 2025-07-31)

Plume Plotter entry for Halton


This pollution prediction was produced by Plume Plotter. Click here for more details.

R1 status of incinerators - 8 April 2026 (Environment Agency)

Uses data from R1 status of incinerators in England released by the Environment Agency. © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2026. All rights reserved.

Permit: RP3638CG

OperatorInstallation nameInstallation addressPermit statusWaste input (000s tonnes per annum)Incinerator typeCalculated R1 valueApplication R1 status grantedSource of data used in R1 calculationsDate R1 application status granted
Viridor Waste Management LimitedRuncorn EFW lines 1 &2Barlow Way, Runcorn, CheshirePermit issued1,100Municipal waste1.06YesOperational31/07/2019

Waste management for England 2024: Operational (Environment Agency)

Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright

Permit: XP3005LB

Date First PermittedOperator NameSite NameSite AddressTypePermitted Capacity (tonnage)Tonnage Incinerated in 2015Tonnage Incinerated in 2016Tonnage Incinerated in 2017Tonnage Incinerated in 2018Tonnage Incinerated in 2019Tonnage Incinerated in 2020Tonnage Incinerated in 2021Tonnage Incinerated in 2022Tonnage Incinerated in 2023Tonnage Incinerated in 2024Tonnage Incinerated in 2022Tonnage Incinerated in 2023Tonnage Incinerated in 2024
29/03/2012Viridor Energy LimitedRuncorn EFW FacilityRuncorn Enegy From Waste Facility,Picow Farm Road,Weston Point,Runcorn,Cheshire WA7Municipal and/or Industrial & Commercial1,100,000638,340867,715890,932884,331962,234943,441956,638929,714950,547991,224929,714950,547991,224

Waste management for England 2023 & 2024: Waste received

2023: Uses data from 2023 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
2024: Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright

Permit: XP3005LB

Form: Solid

Fate: Incineration

R and D code: R01

EWC Waste DescWaste CodeRecorded OriginOrigin WPAOrigin RegionSOC CategorySOC Sub CategoryTonnes Received (2023)Tonnes Received (2024)
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10ManchesterManchesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues419,697364,650
(-13%)
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12ManchesterManchesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues263,469170,151
(-35%)
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10LancashireLancashireNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues169,750
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues118,358
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10MerseysideMerseyside (WPA not codeable)North West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues48,956
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12Cheshire EastCheshire EastNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues42,782
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10StaffordshireStaffordshireWest Midlands10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues24,580
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12LancashireLancashireNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues23,25619,375
(-17%)
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12Blackburn with DarwenBlackburn with DarwenNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues9,18512,907
(+41%)
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent CityWest Midlands10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues28,30010,047
(-64%)
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12WalesWales (WPA Not codeable)Wales10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues7,951
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10WalesWales (WPA Not codeable)Wales10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues7,384
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues138,6664,518
(-97%)
mixed municipal waste20 03 01ManchesterManchesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesHousehold and similar wastes3,420
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10ShropshireShropshireWest Midlands10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues3,232
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10SalfordSalfordNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues3,130
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10BradfordBradford CityYorks & Humber10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues1,449
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12MerseysideMerseyside (WPA not codeable)North West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues47,1111,398
(-97%)
mixed municipal waste20 03 01Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesHousehold and similar wastes804
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10ScotlandScotland (WPA Not codeable)Scotland10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues676
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12StaffordshireStaffordshireWest Midlands10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues648
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12LeedsLeedsYorks & Humber10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues223469
(+110%)
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10Blackburn with DarwenBlackburn with DarwenNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues340
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12LancasterLancashireNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues120
plastic and rubber19 12 04Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth West07 - Non-metallic wastesPlastic wastes11856
(-53%)
combustible waste (refuse derived fuel)19 12 10LeedsLeedsYorks & Humber10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues45
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12LambethLambethLondon10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues26
plastic and rubber19 12 04WalesWales (WPA Not codeable)Wales07 - Non-metallic wastesPlastic wastes24
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12WalesWalesWales10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues17,440
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12North LanarkshireScotlandScotland10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues1,723
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12ScotlandScotland (WPA Not codeable)Scotland10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues654
mixed municipal waste20 3 01ManchesterManchesterNorth West10 - Mixed ordinary wastesHousehold and similar wastes627
other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 1119 12 12KentKentSouth East10 - Mixed ordinary wastesSorting residues76

Waste management for England 2023 & 2024: Waste removed

2023: Uses data from 2023 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 1 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
2024: Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright

Permit: XP3005LB

EWC Sub ChapterEWC Waste DescWaste CodeRecorded DestinationDestination WPADestination RegionFateR and D codeSOC CategorySOC Sub CategoryTonnes Removed (2023)Tonnes Removed (2024)
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastebottom ash and slag other than those mentioned in 19 01 1119 01 12Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes191,236.78198,257.63
(+4%)
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*LeedsLeedsYorks & HumberRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes29,451.6831,279.70
(+6%)
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*Bristol, City ofBristol CitySouth WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes213.38
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*GloucestershireGloucestershireSouth WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes185.90
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*DerbyshireDerbyshireEast MidlandsRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes109.26
Separately collected fractions (except 15 01)discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and 20 01 23 containing hazardous components ( 6 )20 01 35*Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0508 - Discarded equipmentDiscarded electrical and electronic equipment2.96104.80
(+3,441%)
Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specifiedferrous metal19 12 02Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0506 - Metallic wastesFerrous metal waste and scrap80.20
Other municipal wastesmixed municipal waste20 03 01Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0510 - Mixed ordinary wastesHousehold and similar wastes136.9057.26
(-58%)
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*DerbyshireDerbyshireEast MidlandsTransfer (D)D1512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes44.88
Garden and park wastes (including cemetery waste)biodegradable waste20 02 01Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0509 - Animal and vegetal wastesGreen wastes16.72
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*MerseysideMerseyside (WPA not codeable)North WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes14.90
Concrete - bricks - tiles and ceramicsmixtures of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics other than those mentioned in 17 01 0617 01 07Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesConstruction and demolition wastes10.9413.76
(+26%)
Separately collected fractions (except 15 01)wood other than that mentioned in 20 01 3720 01 38Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0507 - Non-metallic wastesWood wastes82.5011.38
(-86%)
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes10.60
Other municipal wastesmixed municipal waste20 03 01ManchesterManchesterNorth WestRecoveryR0510 - Mixed ordinary wastesHousehold and similar wastes0.84
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*PrestonLancashireNorth WestTransfer (D)D1512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes331.48
Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specifiedferrous metal19 12 02Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire West and ChesterNorth WestRecoveryR0406 - Metallic wastesFerrous metal waste and scrap278.94
Incineration or pyrolysis of wastesolid wastes from gas treatment19 01 07*PeterboroughPeterboroughEast of EnglandRecoveryR0512 - Mineral wastesCombustion wastes84.30
Waste engine - gear and lubricating oilsmineral-based non-chlorinated engine, gear and lubricating oils13 02 05*MerseysideMerseyside (WPA not codeable)North WestRecoveryR0901 - Chemical compound wastesUsed oils5.75

Environment Agency 2024 & 2025 Pollution Inventory: Substances

2024: Uses data from the Pollution Inventory 2024 released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License.
2025: Uses data from the Pollution Inventory 2025 snapshot from April 2025 released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License. The data may change in the final version.

Permit: XP3005LB

SITE ADDRESS: Runcorn Energy from Waste Facility Barlow Way Cheshire

ROUTE NAME: Air

METHODNAME: Calculated

SUBSTANCE NAMEQUANTITY RELEASED (kg) (2024)QUANTITY RELEASED (kg) (2025)METHODTEXTMETHODDESCRIPTION (2024)METHODDESCRIPTION (2025)
Carbon dioxide1,081,421,2001,114,519,000
(+3%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Carbon Dioxide From Qualifying Renewable Fuel Sources539,629,200573,002,000
(+6%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) as NO21,134,8301,021,800
(-10%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Sulphur oxides (SO2 and SO3) as SO2132,150128,356
(-3%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Particulate matter - total28,351Calculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs)24,590Calculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Ammonia1,5503,780
(+144%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Mercury40.6440.90
(+0.6%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Chromium207.0026.05
(-87%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Nickel64.2924.60
(-62%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Copper17.5315.21
(-13%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Arsenic2.677.91
(+196%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Cadmium3.514.75
(+35%)
Other calculation methodCalculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Dioxins and furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) - as ITEQ0.00Calculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Dioxins and furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) - as WHO TEQ0.00Calculation method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility
Chlorine and inorganic chlorine compounds - as HCl18,514.00Other calculation method
Particulate matter - PM104,750.00Other calculation method

GHG Performance in 2023

Uses data from Pollution Inventory 2023 extract and Annual Peformance Reports submitted by operators and released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License

Permit: XP3005LB

Permitted capacity (ktpa)Total waste combustedCO2 (kg)CO2 per tonne (kg)CO2 Source
1,100950,547998,142,4001,050Pollution Inventory

APR Summary 2024 & 2025

Details taken or derived from the Annual Performance Report submitted by the operator

Permit: XP3005LB

EntryValue (2024)Value (2025)Notes (2024)Notes (2025)
Plant Size TPA1,100,0001,100,000
Plant Size MWe5189
(+75%)
Power Generated Year Total693,009.54675,088.26
(-3%)
Power Generated kWh per tonne699.15700.81
(+0.2%)
Power Exported Year Total60,982,176.00%0.00
Power Imported Year Total80,601.00%3,573.58
Power Imported kWh per tonne0.813.71
(+358%)
Parasitic Load Year Total0.121.00
(+733%)
Thermal Energy Exported Year Total397,192.68329,123.57
(-17%)
Total Waste Received Year Total101,629,858.00%962,775.00
Total Waste Combusted Year Total991,224.31963,290.47
(-3%)
NCV Year Total43.36
Permit Breaches Year Total15.007.00
(-53%)
Annual CO2 Mass1,084,956.001,080,987.30
(-0.4%)
CO2 CEMS installed on each line. Daily average concentrations and total flow used to calculate mass emissionsCEMS corrected daily average CO2 (%) * CO2 molar mass * daily average flow rate * operational hours
Annual CO2 Mass Per Tonne1.091.12
(+3%)
Annual CO2 Mass Per Mwh1.781.61
(-10%)
Annual N2O Mass3.635.91
(+63%)
N2O CEMS installed on each line. Daily average concentrations and total flow used to calculate mass emissionsCEMS corrected daily average N2O (mg/m3) * daily average flow rate * operational hours
Total CO2 N2O1,082,553.45
Biogenic CO2 Percentage0.500.51
(+2%)
C14 Cartridges replaced every 4 weeks and sent for analysis.C14 analyser sampling across all four incineration lines. Average % biogenic CO2 of all samples reported above
Biogenic Percentage NCV0.420.29
(-31%)
RDF sampling carried out annually for REGO accreditiation. Bogenic percentage calculated from net CV analysis.Average of RDF samples during 2025 for REGO accreditation
Biogenic Percentage Mass0.52Average of RDF samples during 2025 for REGO accreditation
Plant Size MWth38.00
Power Exported kWh per tonne61,522.00%

Entry on WikiWaste:

https://wikiwaste.org.uk/index.php/Runcorn_EfW

Annual Performance Report files:

72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2018.pdf
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2019.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2020.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2021.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2022.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2023.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2024.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2024Corrected.xlsm
72-AnnualPerformanceReport-2025.xlsm

Carbon Capture Decision Document files:

72-CarbonCaptureDecisionDocument-2025.pdf

Carbon Capture Permit files:

72-CarbonCapturePermit-2025.pdf

Carbon Capture Permit Consultation Submission files:

72-CarbonCapturePermitConsultationSubmission-UKWIN-July-2025.pdf
72-CarbonCapturePermitConsultationSubmission-UKWIN-June-2025.pdf

Compliance Assessment Report files:

72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-01-June-2021.pdf
72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-09-December-2022.pdf
72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-19-February-2026.pdf
72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-20-April-2022.pdf
72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-22-February-2024.pdf
72-ComplianceAssessmentReport-30-November-2022.pdf

Cooling Tower Chemicals.zip files:

72-CoolingTowerChemicals.zip

Cooling Tower Plume Abatement Procedure files:

72-CoolingTowerPlumeAbatementProcedure-2023.pdf

Draft Permit files:

72-DraftPermit-2022.doc
72-DraftPermit-Decision-2022.doc

Environment Agency Meeting Note files:

72-EnvironmentAgencyMeetingNote-Matters-discussed-with-UKWIN-on-21-January-2025.pdf

Noise Report files:

72-NoiseReport-ID08-Ramboll-2021.pdf
72-NoiseReport-INVC-2024.pdf
72-NoiseReport-RPS-2007.pdf
72-NoiseReport-SLR-2012.pdf
72-NoiseReport-SLR-2022.pdf
72-NoiseReport-SLR-2023.pdf
72-NoiseReport-SLR-2025-RawData.zip
72-NoiseReport-SLR-2025.pdf
72-NoiseReport-Savills-2023.pdf
72-NoiseReport-Savills-2024.pdf

Odour Management Plan files:

72-OdourManagementPlan-2023.pdf

Original Fire Prevention Plan files:

72-OriginalFirePreventionPlan-2019.pdf
72-OriginalFirePreventionPlan-Map1-2019.pdf
72-OriginalFirePreventionPlan-Map2-2019.pdf

Permit Decision files:

72-PermitDecision-2019.pdf

Permit Variation files:

72-PermitVariation-2019.pdf
72-PermitVariation-2023.pdf
72-PermitVariation-2025.pdf

Permit Variation Decision files:

72-PermitVariationDecision-2023.pdf

Permit Variation File Note files:

72-PermitVariationFileNote-2025.pdf

Planning Consent files:

72-PlanningConsent-2008.pdf

Runcorn Load Reject Report files:

72-RuncornLoadRejectReport-2024.png

Runcorn Organogram files:

72-RuncornOrganogram-2024.png

Environment Agency Compliance Assessment Reports

Click here to see the incinerator compliance documents for existing English incinerators

Standard notice:

UKWIN (and therefore the UKWIN map) focuses on Municipal Waste Incinerators, whereas our colleagues at Biofuelwatch focus on biomass projects. If you are interested in biomass incinerators (including waste wood plants) over 20MW then please see the Biofuelwatch map of UK Biomass Power Stations. Those concerned about biomass plants, including waste wood plants, should email Biofuelwatch at biofuelwatch[at]gmail.com.

Please be aware: There is always room for improvement, so please send updates to coordinator@ukwin.org.uk. Existing Incinerator means a facility that is operational or under construction/commissioning. A Potential Incinerator is a facility where there is a proposal for an incinerator (e.g. planning application or planning consent) or other reason to believe an incinerator might be built/proposed in the future. A Prevented Incinerator is something which used to be a proposal or expected incinerator which we do not believe is currently being progressed (e.g. because the project was cancelled, planning permission refused, or years have gone by since the permission was granted without any progress) - in some cases a facility marked as prevented is being progressed without us being aware or is subsequently revived. Capacity is usually the permitted or maximum advertised capacity of the facility.