A formal deal has been struck to build a £285-£295 million “energy from waste” incinerator which will create 300 jobs during construction.
Waste management giants Covanta and Biffa, along with Macquarie’s Green Investment Group have agreed an contract to build the incinerator near Loughborough in north Leicestershire.
Called the Newhurst Energy from Waste facility, they said the site would support a Government’s drive to cut landfill and help the 海角视频 process more non-recyclable waste without relying on exporting it to Europe.
It will be built in the former Newhurst Quarry, near junction 23 of the M1, in the village of Shepshed.
Assuming updated plans get the go-ahead from Leicestershire County Council, the facility would be up and running by 2023 and treat up to 350,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year.
It will be able to generate up to 42 megawatts of electricity – enough to power around 80,000 homes.
When it opens there will be around 40 full-time jobs.
Covanta – which will operate the site – and the Green Investment Group will own 50 percent of the facility.
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Biffa – the primary waste supplier for the facility – will own the other half. It’s financial commitment to the project will be around £45 million.
Construction will take more than three years and will be led by Hitachi Zosen Innova, a Swiss-based specialist in energy from waste engineering and construction.
The construction company said it would be committed to buying goods and services from nearby companies wherever possible.
Biffa chief executive Michael Topham said: “Biffa has a leading role to play in developing the recycling and energy from waste facilities that the 海角视频 needs if it is to become a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy.
“Reaching this milestone at the Newhurst facility, along with our ambitious investments in recycling, are vital steps in the delivery of our strategic investment plans.
“We look forward to working with our partners to further reduce the 海角视频’s reliance on landfill or export for managing its non-recyclable waste.”
Covanta chief executive and president Stephen J Jones said: “Today’s announcement marks our third of four initial development projects to reach financial close with Green Investment Group and our first project with Biffa.”
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Edward Northam, head of Green Investment Group Europe, said: “Our ongoing partnership with Covanta is helping the 海角视频 reduce reliance on landfill for non-recyclable waste, creating a cleaner, greener environment for all.
“The Newhurst facility is an exciting new addition to that partnership and our first project investing alongside Biffa.”
The site was initially refused planning permission by Leicestershire County Council in 2011.
There have been a number of objections to the plans – including from Loughborough University – following concerns about things such as the environmental effects of incinerator emissions.
Planning permission was granted by the Secretary of State in June 2012 and amended in March 2015 when Biffa made changes to the design to make it more efficient.
Work initially started on site in June 2015, but Biffa submitted a revised planning application to Leicestershire County Council on December 23, asking to rationalise the detailed design now that there is a finalised contract for construction.
A spokesman for the business said the deadline for determination is April 29.
The main design changes are external, including relocating the car park.
The spokesman said no changes were proposed to the approved size, appearance, capacity or operation of the facility.
Biffa will eventually provide 70 percent of the fuel for the site from its local waste collection services, and Covanta will supply technical oversight during construction in addition to operations and maintenance of the facility for an initial 20 year term.