Technical advice for Hertfordshire waste-to-energy project

The management of municipal waste is one of the greatest challenges facing local government in the UK. Despite its strong current performance in recycling and composting, over 60% of Hertfordshire’s residual household waste is sent to landfill. This project will enable the Council to achieve self-sufficiency in waste treatment and significantly reduce its reliance on landfill. Hertfordshire County Council works in partnership with ten Waste Collection Authorities within the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP). The Outline Business Case prepared for HWP demonstrated that one alternative solution to the management of waste that cannot be reasonably re-used or recycled is to establish new waste treatment capacity.

Ramboll was appointed as Technical Advisor, to facilitate and advise on the procurement of a residual waste management PFI project.

Ramboll’s role included technical assistance from the PQQ (pre-qualification) stage through ISOS (Invitation to Submit Outline Solutions), ISDS (Invitation to Submit Detailed Solutions) and up to Preferred Bidder. The work involved the development of procurement documentation and bid evaluation methodology, investigation of heat off-take options and system requirements, and community communications. In addition to this, there was the bid evaluation, recommendation of preferred bidder, input to Final Business Case, and contract negotiations in a competitive dialogue. The award of contract and financial close was in July 2011.

Subsequently, Ramboll was selected by Hertfordshire County Council as technical advisors for the three-year planning and construction phases of its WtE project.