In July 2008 RPS were awarded the consultancy contract for the project management and full design team services for the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF - incorporating Mechanical Biological Treatment) for the Cork Region. The project is lead by Cork County Council and is a joint initiative with Cork City Council. It represents one of the most significant public sector waste infrastructure appointments in Ireland in recent years.
Due to the critical procurement and delivery timetable the project has been divided into 5 stages, each of which have critical milestones to be reached before moving onto the next stage. The stages are as follows:
Stage 1 Planning & EIS
Stage 2 Detailed Design
Stage 3 Tendering / Procurement
Stage 4 Admin / Supervision
Stage 5 Handover of Works
The project includes a detailed technology assessment to select the most appropriate technology for the region’s needs taking account of a range of factors including current and future waste and energy policy, market factors, cost, sustainability and impact on climate change.
A variation to the contract was issued at an early stage to procure an interim services contract on behalf of the local authorities for the processing and transfer of residual waste to the new Cork County Council owned landfill at Bottlehill. The services contract includes performance criteria for the diversion of biodegradable waste to meet the 2010 targets set out in the EU Landfill Directive. This contract is currently at tender stage.
Work is currently ongoing to complete a Strategic Assessment Report, which will recommend the preferred technology options and configurations for the facility. The main aims of the Report include:
Definitive recommendations on Technology to be used
A Financial Model to compare different technology options and sensitivity analysis for variable inputs, landfill levies, gate fees etc.
Model to feed into an overall business plan/commercial strategy
This report is due to be issued to the client early in 2009 following cross-team and client workshops. Final facility completion/handover is currently programmed for Quarter 3, 2012.
RPS has a strong track record in the design of these facilities such as the new facility at Cambridge in the UK (pictured) which received the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for Climate Change.