UK Energy-from-Waste facility scoops top European steel accolade 

Skelton Grange Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility in Yorkshire has won the 2026 European Steel Design Award (ESDA) Laureate prize. 

The award was announced by the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) at EUROSTEEL 2026 in Cracow, Poland. 

The judges said Skelton Grange EfW set new standards for the use of structural steel in complex industrial infrastructure, while redefining expectations of industrial architecture.  

Built on the site of a former power station, the facility has transformed a brownfield site into a vital piece of sustainable energy infrastructure. Comprising 3,000t of structural steelwork across seven highly complex buildings, the project is said to have demanded exceptional engineering expertise, digital coordination and construction excellence.  

Key achievements include a 50m-long crane-support mega-truss, fatigue-resistant structures designed for continuous operation, and elegant perforated arch girders spanning the full width of the waste bunker.  

Advanced digital modelling and innovative modular construction techniques enabled the project to be delivered safely and efficiently within an ambitious 41-week programme. 

The project was also shortlisted for the 2025 Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA) and its project team included steelwork contractor Billington Structures, general contractor Kanadevia Inova (KVI), Weedon Architects and Doran Consulting. 

Daniel Duffield, Managing Director at Billington Structures (second from right in picture), said: “We’re delighted to have won this prestigious award, recognising the technical excellence that was achieved on this project, with Billington working collaboratively with KVI, Doran and the wider supply chain.  

“This collaboration has continued very successfully on similar projects since, and this award further demonstrates what can be achieved when like-minded business’s work together to overcome complex technical challenges.”