"There will clearly be some high profile failures in certain PFI projects through undue reliance on unproven technologies which will be susceptible to changes in waste characteristics over the longer term"
Peter Wright, Development Director at Covanta Energy
Kingswinford, England, UK: Covanta Energy announced recently that it is reinforcing its presence in the UK’s Energy from Waste (EfW) industry by appointing a new development director to help continue its ongoing growth.
Peter Wright joins Covanta Energy from SITA UK, where he was Head of Development. He brings 37 years’ experience in waste management, including seven years in the renewable energy industry.
Peter began his career as a management trainee and worked for a number of years at Birmingham City Council (BCC) and then West Midlands County Council (WMCC), where he stayed until WMCC was abolished in 1986. Peter then moved back to BCC as a principal engineer before becoming the council’s deputy waste disposal officer.
Covanta entered the UK market in 2005 and the company says that continual growth has resulted in the need to expand its national HQ at Kingswinford, near Dudley.
Peter Wright, newly appointed Development Director for Covanta Energy
Covanta Energy UK’s managing director, Malcolm Chilton, said:
“Peter is a vital addition to the UK team. His vast knowledge and industry expertise will be paramount in driving the growth of Covanta Energy in the UK. ”
Mr Wright has been brought in to head developments following on Covanta’s bids to build EfW (energy from waste) facilities across the UK. He will be based at Covanta’s headquarters in Kingswinford, West Midlands.
The company says it uses modern, efficient and proven EfW technology designed to operate well within stringent EU standards. Covanta undertakes all design, construction and project management elements when developing new sites; reducing the risk and additional cost of using turnkey contractors, according to the company.
Peter Wright, commented:
“There will clearly be some high profile failures in certain PFI projects through undue reliance on unproven technologies which will be susceptible to changes in waste characteristics over the longer term. The main advantage of our technology is that it is proven and councils can see it working.”
Further information
Malcolm Chilton, the Managing Director of Covanta Energy, joined Covanta in November 2005. Previously he was founder of Energy Power Resources Ltd (EPR). Prior to EPR, Malcolm was a director of AEP Ltd, now part of Veolia. For much of the 1990s Malcolm was chairman of the Energy from Waste Association, an industry association set up to lobby government on issues affecting the EfW industry.