The tender process for a controversial Energy from Waste plant has taken another step forward.

Three consortia have been invited by arc 21, the umbrella waste management group for 11 councils in the east of Northern Ireland, to the next phase of its procurement process to deliver new waste management facilities. They are: Greenstar Holdings/ E.On Energy from Waste AG, SITA Holdings UK and Veolia ES Aurora.

Ricky Burnett, arc 21 policy & operations director, said: “We continue to maintain progress in our aim to deliver modern state-of-the-art waste treatment facilities for the arc21 region.

“We have invited three consortia forward to participate in the next phase of our procurement process. This marks the achievement of another important milestone in our process.”

He explained: “The next phase involves the development of detailed submissions relating to the provision of Mechanical Biological Treatment facilities and an Energy from Waste plant.”

Arc21said it remained committed to implementing its waste management plan which aims to encourage people to reduce waste in the first place and boost recycling rates to at least 50%.

Mr Burnett added: “Experience throughout Europe clearly shows that high recycling rates can be achieved alongside Energy from Waste. Establishing these facilities is not only necessary to avoid heavy fines from Europe, but they can also help satisfy future energy needs and act as potential stimulus for local economic development.”

It is anticipated that the procurement process will be completed by the beginning of 2011 with the award of the contract.

The 11 councils represented by arc 21 consortia account for just under 60% of all Northern Ireland’s municipal waste, around 600,000 tonnes annually.