The 150,000 tonnes per year capacity plant, which is being proposed to be developed on an industrial site at East Tullos in the south of the city, will treat non-recyclable household waste from across North East Scotland.
The three authorities will enter into a first stage Inter Authority Agreement (relating to initial project and procurement development work for the planned EfW facility.
Their proposed plant features combined heat and power (CHP) to provide energy to households, businesses and council facilities.
In 2014, Aberdeen outlined its hopes to develop a CHP-enabled site in its 2025 Waste Strategy (see letsrecycle.com story).
It is hoped that by partnering to deliver the plant, the three councils will also be able to meet national recycling targets and cut the cost of landfilling its waste.
Suez
The EfW plant will be the first local to Aberdeen and the surrounding area after plans by Suez to develop a similar facility were withdrawn in 2004. Earlier this year the waste contractor submitted a planning application to build a 71,000 tonne capacity RDF plant on the Altens East Industrial Estate south of the city.
Aberdeen City Council’s Zero Waste Convener, Councillor Jean Morrison, said: “The legal agreement between the three partner authorities is a welcome and significant step forward for the Energy from Waste project.
“This will provide a long-term solution for all three councils, reducing the cost of sending waste to landfill and meeting national legislative obligations under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 for a ban on organic waste going to landfill after 2020.
“This project will also provide real benefits to the local community by producing low-cost energy to heat homes and businesses and help to alleviate fuel poverty.”
Group
In addition to agreeing to enter into the EfW agreement, councillors also agreed to appoint three council members to sit on the Energy from Waste Elected Members Engagement Group.
The director for Communities, Housing and Infrastructure will be appointed as the council’s representative on the Project Board, and the waste and recycling manager as the council’s representative on the Project Team.
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