Norfolk and Suffolk agree cross-border EfW deal

Norfolk has agreed a deal with Suffolk council to send around 80,000 tonnes of waste to its neighbour authoritys Great Blakenham energy from waste plant over the next two years.

Deliveries to the SITA UK-run plant will take place from next month should the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) give approval for the deal.

Norfolk had been forced to consider alternative arrangements for the treatment of its residual waste having scrapped its 500 million energy from waste contract with Cory Wheelabrator in April, after planning delays made it difficult for the council to continue with the deal (see letsrecycle.com story).

The authority is still seeking a long term outlet for the disposal of its residual waste beyond 2016.

Sharing some capacity may work to the advantage of Suffolk council, as it is otherwise required to work with SITA to identify alternative customers to provide waste to the plant, which is currently under development, should it not be able to supply the required 170,000 tonnes of residual waste each year.

Contract

Under its 25-year residual waste treatment contract with SITA UK, worth up to 1 billion, Suffolk council is required to pay for the treatment of up to 170,000 tonnes of waste per year at the plant.

SITA is responsible for filling any additional capacity remaining on top of that set aside for the council with much of that likely to come from commercial sources.

Commenting on the deal, councillor Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk council, said: We have always believed that our energy from waste facility is a good environmental solution for Suffolk and great for the taxpayer.

The contract will save 8 million by stopping waste going into landfill in Suffolk, so I am delighted to add to that figure in a way that financially benefits both our councils.

Today demonstrates yet another way were working in close partnership with Norfolk, this deal is not only good news both county councils, but for all those living in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Landfill

The majority of the waste that will be treated at the Great Blakenham facility is currently being sent to a landfill site at Aldeby, run by FCC Environment.

Under the deal, Norfolk will pay Suffolk a rate in line with that of its contract with SITA. Both councils claim that the arrangement will save them around 1 million in costs per year.

George Nobbs, leader of Norfolk county council, said: It has been a pleasure to work with my fellow leader in Suffolk and set up this new and historic way of sharing services between our two counties.

This deal demonstrates unequivocally that local authorities like us have the determination, the will, the ability and the maturity to share their services where such arrangements will bring mutual benefits. That is certainly the case with this agreement.