EXETER'S energy from waste plant is moving closer to completion.

The £44.7million plant, to be built on the site of the city's old incinerator in Marsh Barton, will deal with waste from Exeter and areas to the south and east of the city.

Cobalt Energy Ltd won the contract to design, build and operate the facility. Its French parent firm, Tiru SA, has built similar plants across Europe.

Over recent weeks the incinerator, which operated between 1969 and 1996, has been demolished.

Ben Jennings, county waste manager, said: "Devon County Council is on course with its negotiations with Viridor and Tiru SA, with a view to completion and signing of the contract at the end of September.

"Following the award of the contract, there will be a period of detailed design work by Tiru when the specifications for the plant will be finalised. This is likely to be prior to activity on site.

"Towards the end of this interval, and once the waste permit has been granted by the Environment Agency, foundation piling will begin on site as part of initial construction."

The energy from waste plant is due to be completed in 2013.

It will be capable of recovering heat and electrical power from controlled combustion of up to 60,000 tonnes of non-hazardous wastes, generating three megawatts of electricity.

It will be paid for by contractor Viridor Waste — South West Water's sister company — which will recoup its money by charging the county council to burn so-called grey waste, which cannot be recycled.

The new plant already has full planning permission and an environmental permit.