Covanta, specialized in sustainable waste and energy solutions, has recently announced a partnership with Veolia UK, which provides a comprehensive range of waste, water and energy management services, to develop the Rookery South Energy Recovery waste to energy facility near Stewartby,Bedfordshire, UK.

The waste to energy plant will have the capacity to annually process up to 480,000 metric tons of municipal, commercial and industrial residual waste to generate over 50 MW of low carbon energy, enough to power up to 65,000 homes.

The facility received planning approval in 2013 under the UK's Development Consent Order procedures for the delivery of nationally important infrastructure. The two companies plan to jointly own and obtain project financing for the project, with Veolia providing the waste and Covanta operating the facility.

In the coming months, the project team will work to achieve final approvals and complete project financing. It is anticipated that construction will commence by late 2017 with the facility becoming operational in 2020.

Matthew Mulcahy, Covanta Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Development,said:

"We are pleased to have found a partner in Veolia that will help us develop this important growth project. The facility will provide a vital outlet for the sustainable disposal of residual waste and deliver clean, renewable power to the grid. It will also be designed to export steam to support a local district heating system or additional economic development projects."

Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President Veolia UK & Ireland, added:

"This project will contribute to increased landfill diversion and will help the UK meet its carbon reduction commitments. The scheme will also create direct employment and boost the local supply chain as well as helping meet our future energy needs."