Bidder Chosen for Residual Project
/(Source: Gloucestershire County Council)
Urbaser Balfour Beatty has been chosen to lead on Gloucestershire’s residual project which will divert waste from landfill and save millions of pounds.
Today, Cabinet agreed to go with Urbaser Balfour Beatty to provide a sustainable, environmentally sound and affordable solution for dealing with Gloucestershire’s waste.
The company intends to build an energy from waste facility on Javelin Park to deal with the county’s household real rubbish – the stuff that’s left over after we’ve recycled and composted all we can.
The council will now be working with the company to finalise the details of the contract, which is likely to be signed next summer.
If all goes to plan, planning permission will be submitted in the new year and if successful construction will start in 2013.
During construction around 300 jobs will be created for local people and once the facility is up and running by the end of 2015 around 40 people will be employed there.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet project champion for waste, said: “Both bidders submitted excellent tenders but it was clear that Urbaser Balfour Beatty bid came through as providing the better solution to meet Gloucestershire’s needs.
“Gloucestershire County Council is committed to diverting waste away from landfill and today is a significant step in the right direction.”
Javier Piero of Urbaser Balfour Beatty said: “We’re obviously very pleased to be selected as the company to take forward Gloucestershire’s residual project.
“Our aim is to create a modern facility that not only serves Gloucestershire’s needs but also creates local jobs and generates energy for local communities.”
Before agreeing on the bidder, Cabinet heard about the benefits to Gloucestershire of the proposed solution:
- Protecting Gloucestershire’s taxpayers from the rising costs of landfill, which are estimated to save up to £150million
- Reducing the effects of global warming by diverting 90% of the county’s residual household waste from landfill.
- Generating renewable electricity equivalent to the needs of at least 25,000 homes.
- Potential to provide heat to local businesses and residents.
