Major milestone for Deeside Incinerator passed today as Natural Resources Wales issues environmental permit

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said today they have issued an environmental permit for the Parc Afder waste incinerator facility in Deeside

They say that following an in-depth assessment, which included a public consultation, they are satisfied that the company’s detailed plans demonstrate that it will comply with environmental laws, and can operate without harming the environment.

NRW received the permit application from Wheelabrator Technologies Inc in October 2014 for a facility to burn waste to produce electricity.

The facility will accept up to 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household, industrial and commercial waste per year.

Combined heat and power technology will incinerate the waste, while at the same time generating steam, which will produce electricity through a turbine and generator.

This will produce around 14.4 Megawatts of electricity per year for export to the National Grid – enough to power about 30,000 homes.

Ash produced through the process will be treated on site to produce materials for the construction industry.

Sian Williams, Head of Operations for North Wales, NRW, said:

“We studied the application in great detail and are satisfied that the facility can operate without harming the environment or the health of people nearby.  We are therefore issuing a permit to allow it to operate and will monitor its operation to ensure that it complies with its permit conditions.”

As part of its consultation process, NRW consulted with specialist health organisations such as Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Public Health Wales on the plans to investigate whether the facility could have any impact on people’s health.