Major piling project secured for midlands waste-to-energy facility

We have recently been awarded one of our largest piling projects, for the construction of enfinium’s new Kelvin waste-to-energy facility in Sandwell, West Midlands.

The foundation works, worth over £8 million, were awarded to Van Elle by main contractor ACCIONA, and include the installation and testing of over 1,000 rotary and CFA piles.

Van Elle will also be installing 200m of concrete guide walls, secant piled retaining walls for two bunkers, and removing approximately 16,000m3 of spoil.

The 30-week programme starting on site later in May utilises our new Llamada P-160TA rig in addition to two SR75 rotary piling rigs and cranes.

At its peak the project will require two CFA and two rotary rigs with cranes and excavators to ensure the project is delivered on time and safely.

The Kelvin waste-to-energy heat and power facility will divert 395,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household and business waste from landfill or export overseas, once operational.

Kelvin will generate up to 44MW (gross) of renewable baseload energy per annum, equivalent to the power needs of more than 95,000 UK homes and businesses.

Malcolm O’Sullivan, Piling Director, said: “We’re delighted to be working with ACCIONA to deliver the piling works for this project, which draws on our expertise and experience in rotary bored and CFA piling and further strengthens Van Elle’s standing as the largest ground engineering contractor in the UK.

Scott Edmondson, Project Director at ACCIONA for the Kelvin waste-to-energy facility said: “Van Elle’s appointment for the piling works at Kelvin is an important milestone for the project as it marks the start of construction. Van Elle have made a very positive first impression and we look forward to working closely with the Van Elle site team”