Cheshire Energy-From-Waste proposal
Cheshire Energy-From-Waste Proposal
Latest News
A Public Inquiry into Covanta Energy’s proposed Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility in Middlewich, Cheshire started at Crewe’s Municipal Buildings on March 8th, 2011. The decision will be announced by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and is expected in 2012.
About the Project
Covanta Energy is proposing a new Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility near Middlewich to handle Cheshire's non-recyclable waste. This proposal can be seen in full by clicking on the Consolidated Environmental Statement.
Initially refused by Cheshire East Council, the appeal will be determined by the Secretary of State, taking into account the recommendation and report of his appointed Planning Inspector.
The facility, at the Midpoint 18 Business Park, would provide up to 300 construction jobs at peak times, and around 50 permanent jobs when operational. It would handle waste from Cheshire that cannot be recycled or composted, producing energy, which will reduce the UK's dependence on fossil fuels.
Steam will be exported to British Salt, a local neighbour and important local business. This will provide British Salt with an affordable source of energy, which in turn will reduce their carbon dioxide emissions significantly and help safeguard up to 125 local jobs.
Cheshire residents produce around 434,000 tonnes of household waste a year. Almost a third is now recycled or processed for compost, with a target of 54 percent by 2020. This still leaves almost half to be disposed of, ideally without landfill. This is in addition to all the waste that is produced by the many shops, offices and businesses in Cheshire. The proposal addresses the need to deal with this residual' waste, with the added benefit of generating electricity at the same time.
Community Newsletters have been produced to inform local residents about the proposal. Click on the links below to read the newsletters.