A NEW £452 milliion waste incinerator in Runcorn has been switched on, creating 80 jobs and employing 1,100 people during construction.

Viridor has confirmed that it has started using refuse derived fuel for full commissioning at its energy recovery facility on Picow Farm Road.

Operations director Mark Burrows-Smith said: “This marks an important milestone in the commissioning process.”

It will supply the neighbouring Ineos chemical plant with up to 20 per cent of its total energy needs, significantly cutting its annual fuel bill.

Runcorn will be one of the larest and most efficient energy from waste plants in Europe.

Viridor operations director, Mark Burrows-Smith, said: “This marks an important milestone in the commissioning process at Runcorn and in Viridor’s wider energy recovery investment programme.

“The development also comes hot on the heels of the lifting of the road inputs restriction at Runcorn, which will enable a sensible mix of transport methods to serve the site, allowing businesses and local authorities within the region to access the landfill diversion potential of the plant.”

The facility will supply the neighbouring INEOS facility with up to 20 per cent of its total energy needs, significantly cutting the annual energy bill at its Runcorn site and improving energy security by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Ineos believes a lower energy bill will help the company to secure and maintain the direct employment of more than 1,500 people at their plant.