A CONTROVERSIAL incinerator which could burn 850,000 tonnes of kitchen waste, litter and debris from cemeteries on Ince Marshes has been given the ‘thumbs-up’ by the government.
On Thursday, Covanta Energy, who will operate the 95MW incinerator at Ince Resource and Recovery Park, received preliminary accreditation to receive support as a renewable energy generating station.
Developers have welcomed the news on their incinerator – known as an Energy-from-Waste Facility (EfW) – as a landmark step for the flagship project as it puts them on the road to achieving a full renewable certification from the government.
The announcement comes despite years of protest by local residents and environmentalists who have been campaigning against the ‘eco park’ after fears that the project would turn the area into the ‘dumping ground’ for the nation’s waste.
Preparatory work has already begun on the site, which is a joint venture between Peel Energy and Covanta, which will see 850,000 tonnes of waste, including cemetery and street cleaning waste transported from across the country to be burnt in the EfW facility.
Managing director of Covanta Energy, Malcolm Chilton, welcomed the announcement as a landmark step in the development of the project. “Achieving preliminary accreditation under the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) programme for the Ince EfW facility is another step towards delivering the project which will not only create renewable energy but also boost the North West’s economy through investment and job creation,” he said.
Back in February this year the Environment Agency approved alterations to Covanta’s environmental permit, allowing them to burn 180,000 extra tonnes of commercial and domestic waste at the EfW facility despite protests from campaigners and residents.
