The Dublin Waste to Energy Project
Dublin City Council (acting on behalf of the four Dublin local Authorities) is proposing to provide a thermal treatment plant to treat up to 25% of household and commercial waste that cannot be reused or recycled. This project is known as the 'Dublin Waste to Energy Project' and is in keeping with the objectives of the regional plan, which also provides for waste minimisation, 59% recycling and 16% landfill.
Integrated Waste Management
This strategy for dealing with waste is an integrated approach where no one waste management option can provide the solutions for all waste. Combining the solutions means that waste production is reduced, recycling (including composting) is maximised, waste that should not be landfilled but cannot be recycled is converted into energy and landfill is kept at a minimum. This approach is based on the European hierarchy of waste management
The four Dublin Local Authorities adopted this integrated approach to waste management when they approved the regional Waste Management Plan in 1998/99 and are committed to implementing each aspect of the approach. This plan identified the need for thermal treatment. A replacement plan drawn up in 2004 re-emphasised this approach.
Please click here to find out more information on Waste in Dublin including the replacement waste management plan, what the targets are etc.
What has happened so far?
Dublin Regional Waste Management Strategy
After extensive public consultation throughout the Dublin Region, the strategy for dealing with Dublin's waste was published. The strategy called for waste minimisation, maximum recycling, energy recovery from thermal treatment and minimum landfill. The four Dublin Authorities approved the strategy in principle at the end of 1997.
Dublin Regional Waste Management Plan
A Draft Waste Management Plan for the Dublin Region was distributed and displayed for public comment. A final version of the plan, incorporating the views of the public, was adopted by Dublin City Council in 1998. The other three local authorities adopted the plan between 1999 and 2001.
Feasibility and Siting Studies
These reports examined what technology would be capable of thermally treating up to 25% of Dublin's waste and what would be the best location for the plant. The studies concluded that a number of thermal treatment technologies (including incineration) could be employed in Dublin but that an open procurement process where all the best technologies could compete for the project would make the decision. The studies also concluded, based on criteria set out in the report, that the preferred location for the proposed plant is the Poolbeg Peninsula.
Appointment of Project Team
Dublin City Council appointed a consortium to act as their representatives to select a service provider and establish a Public Private Partnership to design, build, operate and finance the plant. The consortium is led by RPS Consulting Engineers who offer specialist waste management, public involvement and procurement expertise and also includes COWI, a Danish consultancy providing specialist expertise in thermal treatment. These two companies form the basis of a joint venture and are assisted by PriceWaterhouseCooper, McCann Fitzgerald and AON. Mary Murphy Associates are providing specialist advice on public relations.
Procurement Development
Dublin City Council used an EU procurement process to select a service provider.
Prepare Documents
Drawing up tender and contract documents for a project like the Dublin Waste to Energy Project is a very complex and arduous process involving a wide range of expertise including legal, financial and engineering. The Tender Documents outlined what Dublin City Council expects a service provider to provide and the contract documents defined the formal relationship between the two parties.
Advert in EU Journal
Dublin City Council advertised for 'expressions of interest' in 2002. This means that international consortia that felt they possess the expertise to undertake the Dublin Waste to Energy Project made submissions to the project team.
Pre-qualification
All of the submissions were examined and four consortia were shortlisted primarily on the excellent environmental performance of their existing plants.
Invitation to Tender
Tender documents were provided to the shortlisted consortia so that they could prepare their bid.
Submissions of bids
Once the bids were submitted, the Project Team evaluated each proposal and began the selection process.
Contract Awarded
In 2005 Dublin City Council awarded the contract to the Danish company Elsam, based on environmental, engineering and financial criteria to ensure that the best plant is provided for Dublin.
In June 2007, Dublin City Council issued a Letter of Intent to Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd (a joint venture between Covanta Energy, USA, a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation and DONG Energy Generation, Denmark) confirming their intent to enter into a contract with the company, on terms agreed to design, build, operate and finance the proposed Dublin Waste to Energy Plant.
DONG Energy is the new owner of Elsam Ireland, the original successful bidder. DONG Energy has joined in a consortium with Covanta, a major US company and operator of 32 Energy from Waste facilities.
Using the procurement process to find a service provider has many advantages including:
- Better standards of operation
- Financial penalties for breaches of standards
- Additional monitoring
- Community gain
The project is being procured as a Public private Partnership by way of the negotiated procedure and Dublin City Council have ensured environmental standards and set financial penalties i.e. they have incentivised best environmental and economic performances.
For more information on Covanta and DONG Energy, follow the links below:
www.covantaenergy.com
www.dongenergy.com
Baseline Monitoring
Baseline monitoring has been carried out to establish the existing state of the local environment. This monitoring is looking at existing conditions for a number of parameters including air quality, noise levels, traffic volumes and health. These monitoring programmes will be used to assess as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), what potential impact a thermal treatment plant would have on the environment.
What Happens Next?
The Statutory Process
Following the appointment of a service provider to design, build and operate the proposed incinerator, the statutory phase can begin. There are three separate bodies that must grant approval. They are:
An Bord Pleanála
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)
Before any application is made to these bodies an Environmental Impact Statement is needed.
All waste management options impact on the environment in some way. It is the aim of the Dublin Waste to Energy Project to develop a plant that has the least possible impact on the environment and on the community living and working close to the proposed site. Baseline monitoring has been ongoing and is being carried out to establish the existing state of the local environment. This monitoring is looking at existing conditions for a number of parameters including air quality, noise levels, traffic volumes and health. These monitoring programmes will be used as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess what potential impact the thermal treatment plant would have on the environment. An EIS is an evaluation of likely environmental impacts, positive and negative, and will consider the concerns of the community.
An Bord Pleanála
The EIS and supporting documentation are submitted to An Bord Pleanála for certification. The Bord is an independent statutory body that will assess the merits of the project based on both planning and environmental criteria. The Bord invites members of the public to make submissions, which may object to or support the project. The Bord may hold an oral hearing to help it make its decision.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Even if the plant obtains planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, the incinerator cannot operate without a licence from the EPA. The EPA will invite submissions from the public and may also hold an oral hearing to inform the decision making process. The licence will set emission limits for the plant and the EPA will ensure that these limits are not breached during the lifetime of the plant.
Commission for Energy Regulation
An incinerator needs to generate or supply energy to the national grid, with permission from the Commission for Energy Regulation. This is the third and final independent body that must grant approval before an incineration plant can be built.
For more information on the above processes see section on Environment & Planning