An energy from waste (EfW) project which is currently under construction has donated £50,000 to several North East organisations as part of its commitment to give back to its surrounding area.
The main contractor for the EFW build has donated the generous amount to 55 charities across the three council areas which have commissioned the project - Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. This is the second time this initiative has been run with the first being last August, where £50,000 was donated to 56 charities.
The 56 charities benefiting include 28 in Aberdeen, 15 in Aberdeenshire and 12 in Moray. Focusing on various sectors, the receiving organisations included community groups for children and the elderly, mental health and health care charities, sporting institutions and environmental associations.
The project construction is being led by EFW Ness Limited, part of Spanish organisation ACCIONA. The facility will use a cutting-edge thermal treatment process for the waste and will also be configured as a power plant that will generate electricity. The neighbouring community of Torry will also benefit from the heat energy which will be fed into the nearby heat network.
The facility will take non-recyclable waste from the three council areas and treat it cleanly, while conforming to the latest strict European standards. The facility will provide a long-term, sustainable solution for non-recyclable municipal solid waste with the ability to process 150,000tonnes of waste per year.
Aberdeen City Council Operational Delivery Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “It is fantastic to see the significant number of charities and organisations which are benefitting from the project’s community benefits programme.
“We welcome this financial support for these groups and thank Acciona for their work in the programme.”
Cllr John Crawley, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Once again it is tremendous to see so many local community groups receiving financial support from Acciona and I know it will make a real difference to projects and activities across the north-east.”
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: “I very much welcome this funding support which comes during challenging times for many groups across Moray. I know it will be put to very good use in helping to support and deliver positive benefits across the area.”
More information on The Ness Energy Project is at NESS Energy Project | Aberdeen City Council