Viridor has submitted an application to alter the environmental permit for its energy-from-waste (EfW) facility at Cardiff, due to changes in the composition of waste available to the plant.
A standard variation to the 350,000 tonnes-per-year Trident Park facility is required to accommodate design improvements in the combustion grate and boiler, reflecting changes in the residual waste stream since Viridor applied for the original permit in 2009.
Viridor claims that levels of food waste and glass in the residual waste stream have reduced, resulting in a calorific value for RDF that exceeds previous estimates.
An application to formally classify the plant as an R1 energy recovery facility rather than a waste disposal plant has also been submitted by Viridor.
Natural Resources Wales, which has received the Viridor requests, has said the proposed changes will not increase any of the strict emission limits in Viridors current environmental permit, which the organisation granted in November 2010 following an 18-month investigation and consultation process.
Permit
But, spokesman Gareth OShea warned that Natural Resources Wales would not grant the contractor permission if the changes adversely affected the local community.
He said: Following our previous in-depth investigation into Viridors planned operations, we will now thoroughly investigate the changes to make sure they will not alter the companys ability to operate within the strict conditions we placed in the original permit. The changes may be small, but we will only allow a change to the companys permit if we are sure it will not adversely impact on local people or the environment.
If we decide to allow the change to the permit, and once the facility is operational, our officers will monitor operations at the site closely to make sure it operates to the highest environmental standards.
Natural Resources Wales will now hold a consultation on the proposed changes which will run until May 16 2014.
Meanwhile, Viridor is also intending to submit two planning applications to Cardiff city council for minor modifications and additions to the Trident Park facility. These include a weighbridge, a storage tank for diesel to initially start the furnace, and a water settlement put to collect a set amount of discharged water.
Dan Cooke, director of external affairs at Viridor, said: As we move towards operating the facility, we have submitted a number of routine applications that will assist in the optimal running of the plant. We remain committed to open dialogue and transparency with our stakeholders.
The Trident Park EfW, part of a 25-year deal between Viridor and Prosiect Gwyrrd to process 172,000 tonnes per year of household waste from Newport, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Vale of Glamorgan councils (see letsrecycle.com story). The plant remains on schedule to be completed in December 2014.
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