French co. wins $615M waste-to-energy contract in Florida

Paris-based Veolia Environnement [ed.: yes, spelled correctly], formerly known as Onyx, has won a Florida waste-to-energy contract worth $615 million USD over 17 years.

Pinellas County has appointed Veolia to be the long-term operator of the Pinellas Waste-to-Energy Facility for $25 million annually over 17 years, representing an estimated total of $615 million over the term, including facility refurbishments.

Veolia ES Waste-to-Energy, a subsidiary, manages 10 other such facilities across North America.

Selection criteria was based upon cost, staffing and transition plans, and historical safety and environmental performance as well as relationships with other public sector facility owners. Veolia ES Waste-to-Energy had the highest scores of the three competitors in each category, the company said.

The Pinellas Waste-to-Energy Facility, which is owned by the County, began commercial operations in 1983. It consists of three boilers, each of which is capable of burning 1,050 tons of solid waste per day. The boilers are the largest waste-to-energy boilers in the United States.

Pressurized steam created from the combustion process turns turbine generators that create electricity. The plant generates about 75 megawatts of electricity per hour, enough to power approximately 45,000 homes and businesses every day.

There will be a transition period between now and May 6, 2007 when a current contract with Wheelabrator Technologies, a division of Waste Management, expires.

Veolia says it intends to interview and offer employment to a majority of the current staff.

It's the second waste-to-energy story out of Florida in two days. Yesterday, Babcock Power announced a contract for a new bioler for the expansion of a separate plant in Hillsborough County. See Babcock Power to supply equipment for Florida waste to energy facility.