The 45,000 ton capacity anaerobic digestion (AD) facility is said to be the first-of-its-kind plant commercial and industrial and post-consumer waste in the county.
Scheduled for commissioning in March 2014, the developer expects operations by August 2014.
Tamar Energy business development director Bill Elliott said that the Essex facility would produce renewable energy from the county’s organic waste, which is currently disposed of in landfill.
"The Halstead facility is an important part of our vision for a network of around 40 AD plants across the UK by 2018, offering a cost-effective, green and flexible solution for organic waste," added Elliott.
"Not only does it represent an efficient waste management solution but the digestate which is produced is a highly beneficial, nutrient-rich biofertiliser – helping to ‘close the loop’ on food waste, returning to the soil what would otherwise end up in landfill."
The Halstead plant is one of four Tamar Energy sites under construction in 2013 with Holbeach Hurn in Lincolnshire to be commissioned later this year, followed by Farleigh in Hampshire, Retford in Nottinghamshire and Halstead in early 2014.
Cuirrently, the company is engaged in discussions with contractors in Essex on feedstock contracts to supply the new plant.
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