The developers of a new energy-from-waste plant located on the site of a former clay pit have now secured financing for the project, allowing construction to commence.
The facility at Rookery South Pit in Bedfordshire will have a maximum power output of more than 60MW and will be able to process up to 545,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually.
Covanta and the Green Investment Group (GIG) each hold a 40 per cent stake in the project, with the remaining 20 per cent owned by the main waste supplier Veolia.
“We are pleased to have reached this key milestone on the Rookery project, which is a major component of our UK development plan and the second of four initial projects to move forward with GIG,” said Covanta chief executive and president Stephen Jones.
“The Rookery project brings into full view the capabilities of our partnership with GIG and our commitment to the UK market, and we look forward to investing in the local community and serving the region with much-needed sustainable waste treatment.
“Rookery also marks the first project in the UK where we will assume an operating role and we are thrilled to contribute this core expertise to the project.”
Ed Northam, head of GIG Europe, said: “GIG and Covanta have an ambition to deliver a joint portfolio of world class waste management infrastructure that will reduce landfill, lower emissions, and transform two million tonnes of residual waste a year into heat and power for communities and industry across the UK.”
The facility is scheduled to begin operating in 2022 following a three-year construction period.
Drax recently received planning permission to build a 299MW open-cycle gas turbine plant at Rookery South Pit.