The facility, which is being built at a cost of £314m (£252m), is expected to help local authorities and businesses in converting 320,000 tonnes of non-recyclable residual waste into renewable energy. The facility will use waste which is currently being sent to three landfill sites.
The site is expected to be operational in 2020 and it will generate about 34MW of low carbon energy supplying the National Grid with enough electricity to power about 44,000 UK homes.
Viridor has entered into a 25 year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Somerset County Council, which will buy a third of the power produced at facility.
As per the contract, CNIM will provide technology for the facility and Clugston will be responsible for the building and civil engineering works. Construction at the site will begin this summer and will create jobs for more than 600 local people. Once the facility has been commissioned, 45 permanent jobs are expected to be created.
Besides providing local jobs during the construction phase, the project is also expected to generate jobs through supply chain opportunities.
Viridor’s managing director Phil Piddington said: “We’re delighted to team up with CNIM and Clugston to progress this flagship facility using proven technology and respected, established partners.
“The development creates an exciting opportunity to support the South West community and Bristol’s progress towards creating a low carbon economy, following the city’s successful year as European Green Capital.”
Clugston Construction managing director Steve Radcliffe said: “We are developing our mobilisation plans in preparation for commencing site activities later this summer. This will include meeting suppliers and the business community in the region to help us identify and source services locally wherever possible.”
