An energy recovery facility that has the capacity to process 60,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste every year has officially been opened in Exeter.

The plant produces 3.7MW of electricity, out of which around 3.2MW is exported to the grid – enough to power around 5,000 homes.

Councillor John Clatworthy, Deputy Leader of Devon County Council said: “With our new facility here in Exeter, we can recover energy from our waste, turn it into electricity and export it back to the national grid. That reduces the running costs of the plant as well as creating a useful form of renewable energy.

“In time, we hope to use the steam too as part of a district heating network, making it a truly efficient process.”

The project is a partnership between waste management company Viridor, Devon County Council and TIRU, a subsidiary of EDF.