MVV Environment has announced the start of the delayed consultation on its proposed energy from waste (EFW) plant in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.
An artist’s impression of MVV’s proposed combined heat and power facility in Wisbech
As part of the early stages of the pre-planning process for the proposal, MVV Environment undertook an initial period of non-statutory consultation in 2020. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions, the planned statutory consultation period has been delayed until now.
If it goes ahead, the Medworth combined heat and power plant will generate more than 50 megawatts of electricity, and offer the opportunity to supply steam to local factories. It will have the capacity to process up to 500,000 tonnes per year of residual waste.
‘Feedback’
MVV’s managing director, Paul Carey, said: “Since our non-statutory consultation in 2020 we have further developed our proposals and incorporated feedback from a variety of stakeholders. This is now the opportunity for the local community and all other stakeholders to look at what we propose and provide further feedback.”
“This is now the opportunity for the local community and all other stakeholders to look at what we propose”
The statutory consultation period will run from 28th June to 13th August 2021. It will incorporate eight public exhibitions over the two weeks commencing 13th July. There will be venue-specific risk assessments and appropriate precautions in place, in line with prevailing government Coronavirus regulations.
MVV’s project team will be at the public exhibitions to answer questions and listen to concerns.
Facility
Around £300 million of funding has already been secured for the facility, which will have a 40-year life span.
After the consultation period concludes, MVV will then go to the Planning Inspectorate for approval.
It is anticipated that construction will take around three years, during this time employing up to 700 people.
Market
MVV’s consultation opens during what has been a busy period for EfW.
When the plans were first announced in November 2019 (see letsrecycle.com story), there was talk of a capacity gap of plants in the south of England.
Last week however, the Climate Change Committee again called on the government to “urgently” address rising greenhouse gas emissions from EfW plants (see letsrecycle.com story). This led the Environmental Services Association (ESA) to defend the sector’s record on emissions, pointing to efforts to boost recycling from nearly 0% to 45% in 2020 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Environmental permits were also put out for consultation last week for the Portland EfW plant (see letsrecycle.com story), while Uniper secured planning permission for its plant in Nottingham and Wiltshire council granted Northacre planning permission for its plant in Westbury.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
