NEW 42 megawatt energy-from-waste facility in Leicestershire has reached financial close today.
The Newhurst facility is a joined venture between Covanta Holding Corporation, Biffa plc and Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), with Covanta and GIG owning 50 percent together and Biffa owning the remaining half.
Covanta CEO and President Stephen J. Jones commented on the plans: “The Newhurst facility will provide important sustainable waste treatment capacity in the drive to move non-recyclable waste away from landfill and combat climate change.
“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.
“Together, we have created a powerful partnership that will provide meaningful returns in our pursuit to protect tomorrow.”
Located just off the M1 motorway in the East Midlands, Newhurst is a significant addition to the UK’s waste management infrastructure.
It supports the Government’s drive to both reduce reliance on landfill and the UK’s ability to treat more non-recyclable waste without relying on export to European facilities.
The facility will use proven technology to provide up to 350,000 tonnes of annual treatment capacity for non-recyclable waste and will also generate up to 42 megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 80,000 homes.
Edward Northam, Head of Green Investment Group Europe, said: “To increase resource efficiency, we need the right infrastructure.
“Together, GIG and Covanta are developing a pipeline of projects that will form the backbone of the UK’s next generation waste management system.
“Our ongoing partnership with Covanta is helping the UK 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.”
Construction of the facility is expected to take approximately 39 months to complete and will be led by Hitachi Zosen Innova.
Over 300 jobs will be created during the construction period.
Many opportunities will also be created for the local supply chain with a commitment from the project to purchase goods and services from nearby companies wherever possible.
Covanta will operate the facility under a long-term operations and maintenance agreement and Biffa will be a primary waste supplier for it.
Biffa will provide 70 percent of the fuel for the facility from its existing 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.
Michael Topham, Chief Executive at Biffa, added: “Biffa has a leading role to play in developing the recycling and energy from waste facilities that the UK 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 UK’s reliance on landfill or export for managing its non-recyclable waste.”
