The City of Cardiff (UK) and the Vale of Glamorgan councils have recommended Kelda Organic Energy as the preferred bidder for Cardiff waste plant PPP project.

Its preferred bidder status will be confirmed when approved by both councils at meetings later this month.

The project involves the development of an anaerobic digestion and open windrow composting plants in the city. The new facilities will have a total capacity to receive about 35,000 tonnes of food waste per year, which is collected by Cardiff Council

This project comprises the design, build, financing and operation of the new waste plant for a period of 15 years.

The new facilities is expected to be operational by 2016.

Operis provided a high level review of the financial model prior to bid submission stage, with a full audit to follow.

This facility and the overall procurement forms part of the Welsh Government's 'Towards Zero Waste' initiative, a framework for resource efficiency and waste management to run between now and 2050. Bob Derbyshire, City of Cardiff Council cabinet member for the environment, commented:

This is a hugely significant landmark for the city council as we are committed through our One Planet Cardiff vision to meet the statutory Welsh Government targets as we work towards their 'Zero Waste' goal for 2050.