LEADERS from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray councils cut the ribbon to formally open the NESS Energy from Waste facility today.
Located in Aberdeen, the plant became fully operational in December last year and was built by Acciona. Around 150,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste will be processed yearly from the three local authorities.
Electricity produced by the facility is sent to the national grid, with heat also being supplied to a local district heating network. The facility is managed by EFW Ness Ltd, a subsidiary of Acciona Industrial UK Ltd. Day-to-day operations are handled by the operator, Indaver UK.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader, councilor Ian Yuill, said, “I am pleased the energy from waste plant is now operational. This highlights the city council’s commitment to improving how it manages non-recyclable waste by treating it as a valuable resource.
“The Torry Heat Network has been developed in parallel to this project. As a result, Aberdeen has one of the first energy from waste facilities in the country that will deliver heat locally.”
Councillor Gillian Owen, leader of Aberdeenshire Council, added, “It can take decades of waste management time and valuable resources to protect the environment from the pollutants that landfills contain.
“Instead, this energy from waste facility is a modern and more environmentally friendly solution that will cleanly and completely prevent hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste going to landfill.”
Leader of Moray Council, councillor Kathleen Robertson, commented, “The opening of this facility couldn’t come at a better time and ensures that we not only meet our legislative obligations but will ensure that value, in terms of heat and electricity, is extracted from our waste. As a high performing recycling authority we’re pleased we have a modern facility that will serve the residents of Moray, and our partner authorities, for decades to come.”
