Clugston Construction has been appointed to build a new £252 million Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) near Bristol.

The facility will be built on an industrial site in Avonmouth on behalf of waste management company Viridor. Construction is to begin this summer.

The ERF will transform 320,000 tonnes of non-recyclable residual waste each year, generating 34MW of low carbon energy with enough electricity to power 44,000 homes.

The new facility will become Viridor's 12th ERF and is the fourth to be developed with industrial engineering contractor CNIM. The project is part of a £1.5 billion investment by Viridor in the UK's national social infrastructure, supporting the Government's industrial strategy.

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Overall, the scheme will see 600 people working on site during peak construction, with 45 permanent roles created during operations.

Viridor's managing director Phil Piddington said: "We're delighted to team up with CNIM and Clugston to progress this flagship facility using proven technology and respected, established partners. The development creates an exciting opportunity to support the South West community and Bristol's progress towards creating a low carbon economy, following the city's successful year as European Green Capital."

Steve Radcliffe, managing director of Clugston Construction, added: "Once again we are pleased to be working for Viridor and continuing the long association we have with CNIM on what will be our 11th joint energy recovery scheme. We are developing our mobilisation plans in preparation for commencing site activities later this summer. This will include meeting suppliers and the business community in the region to help us identify and source services locally wherever possible."

The new facility is to begin operations in 2020.

(LM)