MVV Environment Ltd has announced that work to build a controversial multi-million-pound mega incinerator in Wisbech off Algores Way will start on Monday, October 27.
In the meantime, the firm behind the 50-megawatt burner has also announced it will be donating up to £200,000 a year to community groups and organisations in the Wisbech area.
MVV Environment has instructed its main engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor to commence work on site at the end of this month. Initial work will include piling.
A full breakdown of what businesses, householders, and organisations located close to the site can expect during the work will be sent out in a mail drop by the firm later this month.
The Medworth energy from waste combined heat and power facility represents an investment by MVV of around half a billion pounds.
It will recover useful energy in the form of electricity and steam from over half a million tonnes of non-recyclable municipal (household), commercial, and industrial waste each year.
It will have an electricity-generating capacity of over 50 megawatts; the steam and electricity can be used locally, and excess electricity will be exported to the grid.
MVV managing director, Paul Carey, said: “Following some preliminary enabling activities over the last few months, we are starting the main construction works for our facility.
"Initial works will comprise establishing the temporary construction compound, main site clearance, and preparation for piling.
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"We are also pleased to announce that we have signed an agreement with the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation under which they will manage the allocation of grants for community organisations local to Wisbech, using funds of £200,000 per year from MVV.”
The project company, now renamed MVV Environment Medworth Ltd, has implemented a multi-contract approach with the main contractor being Kanadevia Inova AG (KVI) of Switzerland.
Paul said the Swiss company has built many similar plants in the UK, but there will also be local subcontractors employed on the site.
Other contracts for the project will be issued in due course, including for the widening of New Bridge Lane to form the main access into the site.
Paul said the hope is to have the incinerator built and up and running by 2029, and he said the firm was determined to stand by the pledges it made to the Wisbech community during the consultation stage of the project, which includes the money for local good causes.
MVV secured Development Consent for its Medworth project in February last year, and in February this year, local contractors were on site to do some initial clearing.
An Environmental Permit, which was essential in ensuring the project could proceed, was issued by the Environment Agency in May 2024.
Next week MVV is hosting a careers fair at the Queen Mary Centre in Somers Road.
The event on Wednesday, October 15, will run from 10am to 8pm , and is aimed at young people in secondary or further education.
Paul explained the aim of the event is to showcase the many careers around projects like the MVV incinerator.
It will highlight careers in sustainable futures, and will help expand awareness and understanding of careers in construction, engineering, and associated roles - particularly where relevant to new technologies, greenskills, sustainability, and the environment.
Paul said there will be a wide range of companies and organisations at the event, including representatives from the main contractors KVI.
The next community liaison group meeting is planned for Wednesday, November 19, from 6pm to 8pm at the Oasis Community Centre in St Michael's Avenue.
