Information for Protos Energy Recovery Facility, Ince Marshes / Protos
Status: ExistingPlanning Region: North West
Planning Sub-Region: Cheshire
Operator: Encyclis
Capacity: 500,000
Campaign Group(s): CHeshire Anti-Incinerator Network (CHAIN)
Notes: It was reported in December 2020 that financial close had been reached [Source]. Entered construction in Decmber 2020. Was expected to be operational in 2024, but as of July 2025 it was reported that following delays construction was due to be completed in 2026 [Source, Source]. The facility benefits from Track-1 CCUS funding from the UK Government. Enclyclis completed their acquisiton of Biffa's share in the plant in June 2025 [Source]. The site has permission for 600ktpa, but the current limits capacity to 500ktpa. Planning application submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in July 2016 and approved in November 2016 (16/03074/FUL) [Source]. In May 2016 joint venture between Peel and Covanta was announced "with construction anticipated to start as early as 2017" [Source]. Planning consent for a 600,000 tonne RDF fluidised-bed incinerator was granted in August 2009 along with outline planning permission for a "ReSource Recovery Park" [Source, Source]. The RDF incinerator was issued an Environmental Permit back in December 2006. In October 2011 an environmental permit application was made to increase the incinerator capacity to 850,000 tonnes, change the technology to moving grate incineration and change the operator from Peel to Covanta [Source]. Permit EPR/LP3132FX/V007 issued in January 2023. In July 2025 it was reported that Encyclis had bought out Biffa's shares [Source]. In November 2025 the Environment Agency issued a permit for carbbon capture at the plant (EPR/LP3132FX/V010). According to the permit, electricity export with Carbon capture will be about 54% of what it is without Carbon capture: "The Installation will generate up to 415,200 MWh of electricity, with up to 375,000 MWh being exported while the CC plant is not in operation. The Installation will generate up to 300,400 MWh of electricity, with up to 203,000 MWh being exported when the CC plant is in operation". It was announced in March 2026 that hot commissioning had begun [Source]. (Entry updated 2026-04-20)
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: LP3132FX
| Operator | Installation name | Installation address | Permit status | Waste input (000s tonnes per annum) | Incinerator type | Calculated R1 value | Application R1 status granted | Source of data used in R1 calculations | Date R1 application status granted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encyclis Limited | Protos Energy Recovery Facility | Grinsome Road, Elton Cheshire | Permit issued | 500 | Municipal waste | 0.9 | Yes | Design | 09/08/2024 |
Waste management for England 2024: Pre-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: LP3132FX
| Operator Name | Site Name | Site Address | Former Planning Region | Former Planning Sub-Region | Type | Permitted Capacity (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENCYCLIS LIMITED | Protos Energy Recovery Facility | Protos Refuse Derived Fuel Plant,Grinsome Road,,Elton | North West | Cheshire | Municipal and/or Industrial & Commercial | 400,000 |
Entry on WikiWaste:
https://wikiwaste.org.uk/index.php/Protos_EFWPermit files:
77-Permit-2023.pdfPermit Decsion files:
77-PermitDecsion-2023.pdfPermit Variation files:
77-PermitVariation-2023.pdf77-PermitVariation-2024.pdf
77-PermitVariation-2025.pdf
77-PermitVariation-Decision-2023.pdf
Permit Variation Decision files:
77-PermitVariationDecision-2024.pdfPlanning Consent files:
77-PlanningConsent-2009.pdfEnvironment Agency Compliance Assessment Reports
View compliance documents for this incineratorView the full UKWIN incinerator compliance index
Historic permit-related documents
See historic documents relating to permit LP3132FXStandard 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.