Up to 250 construction workers have started to develop an Energy from Waste facility in Belfast's Harbour Estate.

The Full Circle Generation facility will see the waste industry change as it gains a critical piece of infrastructure which is capable of recovering energy.

The 14.85 MW Energy will provide Bombardier's wing facility with a predictive energy source. It will have the capacity to process up to 180,000mt of feedstock derived from household waste and it is anticipated that the facility will be completed and operational by late 2017.

Full Circle Generation Director and Managing Director of RiverRidge Recycling and RiverRidge Energy, Mr Brett Ross, commented: "This is a significant day for the waste management sector and renewable energy sector alike. The construction of the Full Circle Generation Waste to Energy facility will allow the industry to gain access to a piece of crucial infrastructure which until now had required waste management operators to export waste derived fuels and consequently energy to other territories."

-- Advertisement --

First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA said: "The First Circle Generation plant will be Northern Ireland’s first large Energy from Waste plant and this is an important day as we see construction begin. The jobs generated during the construction and operation stages of this project are welcome news.

"When complete, the Plant will address Bombardier’s energy needs by supplying heating and electricity to their factories and offices in their Queen’s Island site. This will help the company retain their global competitive edge by keeping running costs as low as possible.

"The Plant will also provide a necessary solution for the waste management sector and a source of renewable energy and is, without doubt, a vital piece of infrastructure for Northern Ireland."

The UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) has committed £47 million to the facility.

(CD)