An incinerator which processes waste that can’t be recycled has been officially opened in Aberdeen.
The NESS Project in the Tullos area of Aberdeen could be one of the last to open in Scotland following the ban on any new waste-to-energy plants announced in 2022.
Council leaders say the project puts the north east ahead of the curve before a ban on putting bio-degradable waste into landfills next year.
The incinerator, which turns waste into energy, faced several delays mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, in December the facility began processing waste from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray council areas at full capacity.
Councillor Ian Yuill, Aberdeen City Council said: “It’s a big project and there were a number of challenges during that, not least the pandemic.
“But it’s been operating now for some time. This is the official opening and it’s going to be delivering benefits to the northeast for years to come.
“It’s also important because the law says we can’t put waste into holes in the ground from 2025 onwards.”
Scotland is the first UK nation to introduce a ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill, which has triggered an influx of planning applications for new incinerators across the country.
However, the Scottish Government have now lodged a temporary ban on any new plans for similar facilities after an independent review found the country was set to be overstocked with incinerators by 2027.
Waste from across Moray and Aberdeenshire will be transported to Aberdeen to be burnt.
However, a Moray Council chief says the net effect of producing energy from their waste far outweighs the emissions from driving the county’s rubbish to Aberdeen.
Councillor Gillian Owen, leader of Aberdeenshire Council say’s it more financially viable.
She said: “Working together actually makes better fiscal decisions than actually us trying to do this on an individual basis.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
