Port Salford Waste Facility – Electrical Infrastructure Installation
Project Overview Barlows was appointed to deliver the specialist electrical infrastructure installation for the Port Salford Aggregate Recycling Facility (also known as the Port Salford Waste Recycling Plant), a state-of-the-art construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plant developed by Peel NRE in partnership with NRE Aggregates and commissioned with technology from CDE.
Located at 15 Port Salford Way, Eccles, Greater Manchester (M30 7FS), within the wider Port Salford tri-modal freight and logistics development on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, the facility processes up to 120 tonnes per hour of C&D waste. It produces high-quality secondary aggregates (e.g., 4-10mm, 10-20mm, 20-40mm, 40-80mm clean rinsed materials) with an annual capacity of up to 240,000 tonnes, diverting waste from landfill and supporting circular economy goals in the North West.
Barlows focused on the critical electrical scope to power the heavy industrial plant equipment, ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient operation in a demanding 24/7 waste processing environment.
Scope of Works
- Design and installation of a new LV GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) switchroom to house low-voltage distribution equipment
- Provision of main incoming feeds and sub-distribution to key waste processing equipment (e.g., primary feeders, screens, washers, conveyors, and associated machinery)
- Comprehensive external lighting installation across the site compound, access roads, processing areas, and perimeter for safe nighttime operations and security
- Integration of power supplies, control cabling, earthing, and protection systems compliant with industrial standards
- Coordination with plant suppliers (including CDE) to ensure seamless electrical interfacing with specialist waste handling and washing equipment
The installations were engineered for durability in a harsh, dusty, and vibration-heavy industrial setting, with emphasis on energy efficiency, minimal downtime, and future-proof capacity.
Delivery and Collaboration The project required precise programming to align electrical works with the arrival and commissioning of major plant components (notably in 2022–2023). Barlows collaborated closely with the main site team, Peel NRE, NRE Aggregates, and equipment specialists to:
- Minimise disruption to ongoing site development
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, CDM regulations, and electrical standards (BS 7671, etc.)
- Deliver phased installations to support progressive plant commissioning
The works were completed successfully, enabling the facility to achieve full operational status and host high-profile visits, including from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in 2023.
Outcome The Port Salford Waste Facility stands as a flagship example of sustainable waste management, transforming C&D waste into valuable secondary materials for construction projects across Greater Manchester and beyond. Barlows’ reliable electrical infrastructure has been integral to its efficient, high-output performance, demonstrating our expertise in delivering critical power solutions for heavy industrial and recycling plants in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Client: Peel NRE / NRE Aggregates Location: 15 Port Salford Way, Eccles, Greater Manchester, M30 7FS Scope: Electrical infrastructure installation including new LV GRP switchroom, equipment feeds, and external lighting Completion: Successfully delivered to support full plant commissioning (circa 2023)