Ashfords advises Viridor on renewable energy facility to power the equivalent of 93,000 homes

Ashfords advised Thameside Energy Recovery Facility Limited, a subsidiary of Viridor, on contracts for the design, construction and operation of the Thameside Energy Recovery Facility with the deal reaching financial close in late November 2024.

The facility, located at Tilbury Docks, will increase Viridor’s portfolio to 12 energy recovery facilities across the UK - marking a significant milestone for Viridor. Once operational, the facility will process up to 350,000 tonnes of residual black bag waste annually, generating renewable energy sufficient to power the equivalent of 93,000 homes. 

Kanadevia Inova, formerly Hitachi Zosen Inova, has been selected to build the plant. Construction work is set to commence after the civil engineering and piling programmes have been completed on site. After the 42-month build and commissioning phases have been completed, the new facility will commence operating in 2028. 

Ashfords' team, led by construction partners Mark Manning and Carl Thompson, advised the company on the engineering, procurement and construction contract, the operation and maintenance contract, and a number of ancillary documents.

This was a high value, legally complex transaction involving multiple parties and law firms. Viridor is a long-standing client of the firm and Ashfords’ instruction reinforces the firm’s expertise in the waste to energy sector. 

Richard Belfield, Viridor Group Business Development Director, said: 'We would like to thank Ashfords for their professional and committed legal support on this important transaction for Viridor, and look forward to continuing to grow our relationship through our upcoming pipeline of ERF developments.'

Associate Lois Putnam, solicitor Lara Jenkins and paralegal Isabel Rosen, all members of Ashfords' construction team, supported Mark and Carl on the transaction with additional input provided by partner Brian Farrell, associate Ben Thomson and solicitor Ben Morgan from Ashfords’ commercial team.

For further information, please contact the construction team.

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