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The Gladsmuir Operations Limited (GOL) site consists of an advanced materials recovery facility and a combined heat and power plant, designed to recover value from waste and maximise diversion from landfills. The facility generates up to 62,000 MW of electricity from approximately 100,000 tonnes of re-directed Refuse Derived Fuel each year using a fluidised bed gasification technology.
There are 55 permanent jobs. Local goods and service providers are being procured wherever possible. The facility generates sustainable electricity from waste otherwise destined for landfill exported directly to the local power grid for use by local consumers.
Power generated from RDF is an important form of renewable energy source derived from waste, helping to decarbonise the energy system by replacing fossil fuels. By using non-recyclable material for fuel, facilities such as Gladsmuir Operations Limited can contribute to the reduction of the amount of waste going to landfill.
Gladsmuir Operations Limited processes Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), which is composed of mixed solid and non-recyclable waste. This fuel is then used in our energy-from-waste (EfW) plant to generate electricity. The RDF is prepared at an adjacent Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
The facility is privately funded.
Yes - there are several other EfW and resource recovery facilities across the UK.
The facility is owned by Beaverbrook Energy Limited.
Gladsmuir Operations Limited operate and maintain the facility.
Cobalt Energy Limited provides professional techno-commercial management services, working and interfacing with both Gladsmuir Operations and Beaverbrook Energy.
The fuel is supplied from kerbside collections by the local authority and Levenseat Resource Management (LRM).
Fluidised-bed gasification (Outotec) to produce steam for electricity.
Fuel arrives at Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
The fuel is initially stored in the tipping hall before being placed into the conveying system. The conveying system removes both ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the fuel as well as other inert objects before it is fed into a fluidised bed gasifier.
Within the gasifier, a fuel bed forms. This is made up of RDF and a responsibly sourced sand like material known as bed media. The fuel moves through the progressive stages of gasification, that is, drying, pyrolysis, combustion, cracking, and reduction. A controlled amount of air (oxygen) is introduced via nozzles in the bed to enable controlled combustion. Syngas is extracted from the top of the gasifier and is combusted with combustion air (oxygen) to generate steam, which is used to drive a turbine - this in turn drives an electrical generator to produce electricity.
Flue gases are treated to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), Sulphur oxides (SOx) and heavy particulates, before exiting to the atmosphere via the stack. The stack emissions are monitored using a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure they are in accordance with the Environmental Permit conditions.
Bottom ash, fly ash and Air Pollution Control Residues (APCr) are conveyed away from the process.
Once the process is up to temperature, the start-up burners are disengaged, and the process becomes self-sustainable.
The process produces minimal by-products. By-products include effluent water, incinerator bottom ash (IBA), Air Pollution Control Residues (APCr), fly ash and flue gases.
Effluent water is treated on site and reused where possible.
Incinerator bottom ash is disposed of by a licensed operator and may be utilised in aggregate production.
Air Pollution Control Residues and fly ash are treated at a licensed facility off-site.
Flue gases are treated to render them safe in accordance with the Environmental Permit conditions before they are released to the atmosphere via the facility stack.
Construction began around 2015. The site has been operational since 2019. Gladsmuir Operations Limited instigated operational takeover in July 2025.
The facility will operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, this includes both operation and maintenance.
Waste facilities in Scotland are regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) through an Environmental Permit. SEPA will check for compliance throughout the facility’s lifetime.
As part of the Environmental Permit application, an air quality assessment was undertaken. The assessment uses a dispersion model which sets out the area where emissions from a facility may come into contact with the environment.
This assessment then compares existing air quality in the dispersion area with the potential impact of the emissions from the facility. The dispersion modelling concluded that emissions from the plant would not significantly impact local air quality.
The stack emissions are monitored using a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure they are in accordance with the Environmental Permit conditions.
Most process emissions are composed of gases which are already present in the atmosphere:
- Oxygen
- Water vapour
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
Trace amounts of:
- Carbon monoxide
- Very small amounts of dust
- Trace amounts of gaseous and vaporous organic substances, expressed as total organic carbon
- Trace amounts of Sulphur dioxide and trioxide
- Trace amounts of hydrogen chloride
- Trace amounts of hydrogen fluoride
- Trace metals
- Very small amounts of dioxins and furans, which are virtually undetectable.
These emissions are all governed by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and must be sampled and monitored. Results are recorded, controlled, and audited under the Environmental Permit issued for the facility.
These emissions are governed by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and must be sampled and monitored. Results are recorded, controlled, and audited under the Environmental Permit issued for the facility.
Industrial facilities undertaking specific types of activity are required to use best available technology (BAT) to reduce emissions to air, water and land. Best available technology (BAT) and operational standards are employed at the facility.
Any emission breaches will be dealt with immediately, by means of process control or facility shutdown and reported to SEPA.
Under normal operational conditions there will be a minimal visible plume from the stack. The plume may be more visible at close proximity to the stack output, depending on atmospheric conditions.
The facility must comply with all issued permits and consents, which in turn are issued in accordance with current legislation.
Gladsmuir Operations uses an integrated business management system (IBMS) which consists of policies, processes, and procedures, written to conform to all issued consents.
Industrial facilities undertaking specific types of activity are required to use best available technology (BAT) to reduce emissions to air, water and land. BAT and operational standards are employed at the facility.
All emissions will be sampled and monitored (using accredited and calibrated equipment, including off site laboratories), recorded, controlled, and audited under the Environmental Permit issued for the facility.
The key regulators for the Facility are:
- The Local Authority (LA) – West Lothian Council
Scottish Environment
- Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
As part of the Environmental Permit application, a noise assessment was conducted. This noise assessment establishes the baseline noise levels in the locality of the nearest receptors and sets an acceptable noise level for the facility. The facility has been designed to comply with this acceptable noise level during full operation.
The process will not produce an odour outside the facility boundary during normal operations.
Yes, the facility is safe for both staff and the public. It was designed in accordance with all applicable standards and safety legislation. It is operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable standards and legislation. The plant is also audited and accredited by licensed third parties. It is certified and insured accordingly.
The facility is designed in accordance with all applicable standards, and all safety legislation is certified and insured accordingly – this includes all emissions outside the facility boundary.
Gladsmuir Operations utilises standard operating procedures (SOP)s and safe working procedures (SWP)s as part of the integrated business management system (IBMS). We undertake risk assessments for all our operational activities which effect staff and may impact upon the public.
There is no scientific evidence to support this. Research studies conducted and published to date have concluded that there is no conclusive link between such facilities’ activities and public health issues in the surrounding localities.
Much detailed research has been completed and published by public and private organisations in the UK and across the world.
The research that has been conducted and published to date has concluded that there is no conclusive link between such facilities’ activities and public health issues in the surrounding localities.
This research includes both Human Health Risk Assessment and Air Impact Assessments.
The facility does not discharge to local waterways.
In normal operations most of the processed water is constantly reused at the site, any excess is discharged to a local sewer system after primary treatment at \Levenseat Resource Management (LRM).
- The Local Authority (LA) – West Lothian Council
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Appointed independent professional consultants.
Internal auditing
Applications can me made via the link on our website or by contacting HR@cobaltenergy.co.uk
Operational goods and service suppliers can register their interest by contacting admin@gladsmuiroperations.co.uk
Yes, it provides 55 jobs in the local community and uses local goods and services suppliers where possible.
You can get more information by visiting our website or contacting admin@gladsmuiroperations.co.uk
