Covanta Energy to build UK waste-to-energy plant

Web exclusive posted Feb. 5, 2009, at 3:31 p.m. CST

Covanta Energy plans to build a 70-megawatt waste-to-energy power plant in Merthyr, Wales, United Kingdom, which will produce enough electricity to power up to 180,000 homes.

The $575 million plant will be linked to rail-operated waste transfer stations across Wales, including municipal, commercial and industrial landfill sites. The facility is expected to process 875,000 tons of waste annually.

Upon approval by local authorities, the project is expected to generate 500 jobs during the construction period, and 100 permanent jobs when completed. Covanta Energy expects the plant, which it will finance, build, own and operate, to be on-line by 2014.

In addition to powering homes, the company plans to investigate the possibility of residents and businesses in neighboring communities to purchase electricity.

In December 2008, Covanta Energy purchased two U.S. biomass power facilities located in West Enfield and Jonesboro, Maine, which have a combined electrical capacity of 49 megawatts.

Covanta Energy currently owns and operates more than 35 waste-to-energy facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia; it also owns or partially owns eight additional wood-to-energy power plants in California.