An energy recovery facility that will save £250m over 25 years has been opened in Staffordshire.
The PFI contract is the biggest in Staffordshire County Council’s history and will help the council reach its target of zero waste to landfill. The facility, developed by Veolia in partnership with CNIM Clugston Staffordshire, will generate enough power for 35,000 homes and create 40 new jobs.
Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Philip Atkins, said: ‘The Four Ashes W2R site provides us with a leading facility which delivers huge savings, renewable energy, jobs and an educational offer.
‘It is another example of how we have successfully carried out a major infrastructure project which will make a real difference to Staffordshire people. It means we are meeting our zero waste to landfill pledge and creating energy for homes and business at the same time, which is becoming increasingly important.
‘In addition to the facility generating energy for the grid, we are also looking to use heat created for nearby business sites.’
For the project, 85% of the construction workforce came from Staffordshire while 95% of equipment used was procured from the county.