We recognise this is a big burden for local taxpayers. Unfortunately the government has refused to provide any help in meeting that cost
Cllr Louise Goldsmith
The two companies already have interests in Sussex with both having landfills in the region, while Viridor is constructing a materials recycling facility at Ford.
For Biffa the selection is seen as a major boost for the company which has bid for few PFI type contracts in recent years and was earlier this year sold to investment groups.
In particular, any eventual award of a contract will be a major triumph for new chief executive Andre Horbach, who has an energy and technical background.
Biffa's closest major contract to the West Sussex work is on the Isle of Wight.
Welcoming the decision, Mr Horbach said: “We're delighted to have been selected as West Sussex County Council's preferred bidder. We now look forward to working closely with the Authority over the next six months to develop a facility that will, through resource recovery and energy production, recover value from waste that is currently being landfilled.”
Phillip Russell, Head of Wastes Management for West Sussex county council added: “West Sussex has always promised its residents it would be a leader in waste prevention and recycling by turning a rubbish into a resource – today's announcement fulfils that pledge.”
MBT
Under the contract, Biffa proposes to build a mechanical biological treatment plant (MBT) to handle up to 300,000 tonnes of waste a year at its existing landfill site at Warnham, near Horsham. Through a series of treatment processes, Biffa claims the MBT will reduce the quantity of waste being sent to landfill by up to 80 per cent.
Around 31 per cent of the waste will comprise organic material. This will be treated through anaerobic digestion, creating a compost like output and fuel gasses for the generation of electricity. A further three per cent will comprise metals that will be separated and sent for recycling in the UK.
Approximately 46 per cent will be turned into RDF and used to produce electricity. The aim is to supply third party energy producers with a fossil fuel replacement, although the possibility exists for the company to develop a gasification facility on site.
The remaining 20 per cent will be sent to landfill.
Speaking today, West Sussex council explained that the plant would have to be funded through council tax and its own budget as the government had “refused” to provide any funding to help meet the cost of the facility.
Louise Goldsmith, cabinet member for finance, said: “We recognise this is a big burden for local taxpayers. Unfortunately the government has refused to provide any help in meeting that cost. First, it denied West Sussex access to PFI funding. Then it failed to deliver its promise to give back to local authorities landfill tax money, which they could have invested in alternative technologies.”
Municipal waste comprises about 40% of the waste requiring management in West Sussex. In 2004/5 there were 463,358 tonnes of municipal waste generated in the county, the bulk of which was household.
It is hoped the contract will be signed in March 2009.
Subscribe for free