The £154 million Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) has been given planning permission.
Following submission of a planning application in September 2012 by Viridor, Glasgow City Council’s planning applications committee gave the go-ahead at a meeting this week.
At the GRREC, domestic residual waste will be treated in a three-process materials recycling facility, an anaerobic digestion plant will treat food waste and a gasification plant will process the remainder of the waste to generate electricity.
Over the 25 year contract, this should bring a cost saving to Glasgow of £254 million.
Construction will commence in summer this year with completion in early 2016.
Viridor Scottish regional manager Steven Don said: “I am delighted that planning has been secured for GRREC. The project will not only help move the city towards a zero waste economy, but will deliver world class next generation green infrastructure while reducing council tax payer exposure to costly landfill levies.
“The impressive facility will transform the way in which the city’s annual 200,000 tonnes of domestic green bin residual waste is managed as well as positioning Glasgow as a leading force in Scotland in the provision of a cleaner, greener, strategy for transforming waste in line with other European cities.
“Importantly, the project is a vital boost for the construction sector and will provide a range of community benefits including green jobs with growth opportunities, tenders for small business and social enterprises and an ambitious education programme across city schools.
“Our focus is to help Glasgow achieve its ambitions for the city and its people. Along with our partners, Glasgow City Council, we look forward to moving forward with our plans to establish the GRREC, regenerate Polmadie and to bringing a wealth of benefits to the city flowing from this substantial investment.”
