Construction of Lincolnshire's first Energy from Waste (EfW) facility to treat household waste will commence in April after the contract with the preferred bidder, Waste Recycling Group (WRG), was signed.

Work to build the plant on 3.1 hectares of land at North Hykeham is expected to begin next month. It could then be up and running as soon as Autumn 2013.

The landmark project - which will dramatically reduce the amount of waste Lincolnshire sends to landfill - has been led by the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership (LWP) which appointed WRG to design, build and operate the EfW facility for the county.

Councillor Lewis Strange, Chairman of the LWP, said: "Complementing the county’s excellent record in recycling waste, this facility heralds a new beginning for the disposal of waste produced by local residents. The facility will avoid the spiralling costs of sending waste that can’t be recycled to landfill, saving the authority millions of pounds each year in rising taxation and new EU fines.

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"In addition, the facility will produce enough electricity to power over 10,000 homes and businesses. The Authority will also now look to further exploit the potential of the facility to develop a district heating scheme to heat thousands of local homes and businesses.

"To have reached this stage just 30 months after advertising the contract could well be record pace, which is testimony to the dedicated work behind the scenes at the authority along with the support of local people and councillors. Work can now begin on constructing a first-rate facility. We look forward to working with WRG, who come with an impressive track record in this field, along with their sub-contractors CNIM and local business Clugston."

The plant will include a visitor’s centre and will create 33 jobs, with a significant number of jobs also created during the construction period.

(CD/GK)