Work started on a bespoke combined incinerator in April 2025, with hopes that the project would be completed early in 2026.
Now it is more likely to happen some time in the next few weeks.
‘The project has involved the creation of a new building and the manufacture, installation, and commissioning of specialist equipment rather than the deployment of a standard off-the-shelf solution,’ said the Environment & Infrastructure Committee, which is running the project with Health & Social Care.
During the commissioning phase issues were identified with elements of the operating control system, which had to be made to order and set work back.
‘While this has delayed the operational commencement date, the committee considered it important that these issues were fully resolved before handover and the facility entered service rather than accepting any compromise on reliability or long-term performance,’ said E&I in response to formal written questions from Deputy Tom Rylatt.
It said that the biggest risk to the project now was whether the existing ageing incinerators would continue to work until the new facility was ready.
E&I said that the completed facility would provide modern infrastructure for the safe disposal of clinical and animal waste, supporting public health, environmental compliance, and the Island’s long-term waste management needs, and said it was ‘cautiously confident’ that the project was now on track.
The overall budget for the work was £6.1m. including a £400,000 contingency that has not been called on.
E&I said it expected cost would come in at about £180,000 under budget.
‘Maintaining strong financial control whilst delivering a specialist piece of infrastructure has been a key objective throughout the project.
‘This will provide the island with a modern replacement for two ageing facilities while continuing to demonstrate value for money for taxpayers by moving to a revised operational model.’
Savings indicated by the business case for a shared facility are expected to be about £86,000 a year compared to the current use of two separate incinerators.