Covanta Energy to build $575m waste-to-energy plant
2nd February 2009
Renewable energy company Covanta Energy is set to build a $575m plant to convert waste to energy in Wales.
The plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes in the area and reduce the need for waste landfill sites. It will be located on an existing railway line that will link it to rail-operated waste transfer stations across Wales.
‘Wales is very pleased that an industry leader such as Covanta is investing in Wales and will play a part in making Wales a world leader in dealing with renewable energy and treatment of both household and industrial waste,’ said Geraint Jones, CEO of International Business Wales (IBW). ‘Covanta’s track record in the waste to energy field is second to none.’
Covanta Energy has had detailed discussions about the project with IBW, and will begin consulting shortly with the local population and stakeholders in the area. The company expects the plant to come online by 2014, subject to approval by local authorities.
Malcolm Chilton, Covanta Energy’s UK managing director, said, ‘We already supply millions of homes with clean energy from non-recyclable waste, and we are proposing a plant which will be sized to meet the needs of Wales. The plant will also help cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by displacing the carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuel generation and reducing long-term emissions of methane gas from landfill sites that would otherwise be required.’
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