The recycling, renewable energy and waste management company Viridor has announced its plans to build a £185 million energy-from-waste (EfW) power station in Cardiff Bay. The plant, which will be the first of its kind in Wales, is set to be up and running by 2014 and will create up to 300 jobs during its construction.

Viridor has appointed two contractors who are specialists in EfW, CNIM and Lagan, to construct the power station. The facility, based at Trident Park, will be one of Europe’s most efficient EfW combined heat and power plants, transforming 350,000 tonnes of post-recycled waste from local authorities and businesses into renewable energy and heat.

The plant will able to generate up to 30 MW of electricity – enough to power around 50,000 homes in Cardiff – as well as providing a possible source of low carbon heat to businesses and organisations in South East Wales. Work on the power station is expected to start this spring.

Wilding says: ‘Yet another exciting development in the renewables industry! As well as producing low carbon energy, this project will prevent thousands of tonnes of waste a year ending up in landfill, bringing dual benefits to the environment. It’s also good to hear that Viridor’s contractors plan to support the area’s economy by using local skills and labour.’

Sources: Wales Online