We share the GMWDA's disappointment not to be commencing operations in May as anticipated and remain fully committed to achieving full contractual close on June 6th
Mike Hellings, Viridor
The authority claimed that despite agreement being reached with Viridor Laing on “all major commercial principles”, it had not signed the multi-billion deal because Viridor and Laing still needed time to conclude their “financial and contractual arrangements”.
It is likely that this could relate to the delay in getting planning permission for the Runcorn thermal power station, which is intended to burn refuse derived fuel created from greater Manchester's waste.
The application is currently being decided by John Hutton MP, secretary of state for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform- who is expected to make an announcement imminently.
Now, the Authority expects the contract will not be signed until June 6 – roughly a year from when the deal was first intended to reach financial close (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of the authority, said: “Although the Authority is disappointed to not yet have commenced the new contract we are very pleased with the continued progress being made and believed that we will be in a good position to sign the contract early next month.”
Mike Hellings, managing director of Viridor Waste Management, said: “Viridor Laing is satisfied that good headway is being made with the completion of the project agreement and the excellent planning results. We share the GMWDA's disappointment not to be commencing operations in May as anticipated and remain fully committed to achieving full contractual close on June 6th.”
Facilities
Nearly 1.4 million tonnes of waste is generated in the Greater Manchester area each year and Viridor/Laing is currently progressing through the planning system with proposals for new and improved waste management facilities – including MBT plants and in-vessel composting facilities.
The programme involves a capital investment of more than £300 million, and the creation of 100 new jobs across Greater Manchester. It is hoped this will help boost residents' recycling rates to at least 50% by 2020.
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