DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has pushed back the date for when building must restart on the waste plant at Poolbeg in Dublin.
The project has been stalled once again as the operators try to secure finances for the plant. The US company Covanta was due to prove that it had secured funding for the incinerator by 5 November but that has now been postponed.
“This decision has been taken in light of the fact that negotiations between Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd and their banks regarding finance are progressing towards a conclusion for the construction phase of the project,” a statement from Dublin City Council said tonight.
Funding for the incinerator was originally due to have been finalised by August.
Dublin City Council said that the Dublin Waste to Energy Plant – the official name of the Poolbeg plant – is needed more than ever if Dublin is to reach its goals of recycling 59 per cent of its rubbish, sending 16 per cent to landfill, and treating 25 per cent of non-recyclable waste at the plant in order to provide electricity and heating.
“Without the Dublin Waste to Energy Plant, Ireland is unlikely to meet the very challenging EU Diversion from Landfill target in 2016,” the statement said. “Fines of up to €41 million per annum may be imposed on the Irish taxpayer for non-compliance with this target”.
The original agreement for the incinerator was signed in 2007. More than five years later, it is still unclear when – or if – the plant will ever open.
More than €91 million has been spent on the plant by Dublin’s four local authorities, including €3 million on public relations and €1.7 million on legal costs.
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