Delayed incinerator expected to open in the autumn

A delayed incinerator is expected to open in the autumn, a government committee has said.

Guernsey's new animal and clinical waste incinerator, at Longue Hougue, will replace two existing "ageing" incinerators.

Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure said during the commissioning phase issues were identified with elements of the operating control system.

Committee president Adrian Gabriel said to ensure long-term reliability and performance of the facility, the control system and a number of components, made to order, had to be replaced, impacting the project timetable.

He said: "While this has delayed the operational commencement date, the committee considered it important that these issues were fully resolved before handover and the facility entered service rather than accepting any compromise on reliability or long-term performance."

In response to questions from States Greffier, Gabriel said the current forecast showed the Combined Waste Solution Project would be delivered about three percent below the approved budget.

The committee said: "The revised timetable means that the financial savings anticipated within the approved business case will begin later than originally planned.

"The business case identified annual savings of approximately £86,000 and the timing of those savings will therefore be deferred by around 22 weeks.

"The new facility will replace two ageing incinerators with a single modern installation that will reduce operating costs, improve operational efficiency and support high standards of environmental compliance."

It added the committee was working closely with Health and Social Care for the project to help ensure the island would continue to manage clinical and animal waste "safely, reliably, and cost-efficiently" for many years to come.

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