The new infrastructure has been developed under a 25-year Public Private Partnership with a consortium of SUEZ, Itochu and Marguerite and will allow for the safe disposal of municipal waste after energy and material recovery
BEO ČISTA ENERGIJA d.o.o. a joint-venture of SUEZ, ITOCHU Corporation and MARGUERITE announces that the New Vinča Integrated Resource Recovery Centre has started accepting waste from 15 municipalities within the City of Belgrade in August 2021 and held Official Opening Ceremony on 28 September 2021.
The new EU-compliant sanitary landfill and Construction and Demolition Recycling Facility are part of a 370mEUR investment realized by BEO CISTA ENERGIJA under its 25-year Public Private Partnership concluded with the City of Belgrade in 2017.
By starting operations at the new facility, BEO CISTA ENERGIJA has made it possible for the City to stop the unsafe disposal of waste at the old Vinca dumpsite, which has been receiving Belgrade’s waste since 1977. Additional remediation works on the dumpsite are planned to contain and treat pollution which is currently discharged into the atmosphere and the Danube.
The construction of the PPP’s flagship facility, a 1,000 tons/day energy-from-waste facility which will recover electricity and heat from Belgrade’s non-recyclable waste progresses well with a start of operations planned for end of 2022.
The overall program will allow Belgrade to stop pollution as well as reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 250,000 tCO2 per year, notably by reducing methane emissions from uncontrolled dumping.
This Project is co-financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC: World Bank Group), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Development Bank of Austria (OeEB).
Mrs Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, stated on this occasion:
I am delighted to see the progress of the works in Vinča, with the delivery of the first phase of the new facilities. The new sanitary landfill and the recycling plant allow Belgrade to finally close the old dumpsite, which has plagued the life of our fellow citizens and polluted our environment for so many years. This ongoing investment of 370 million euros is a perfect example that we have been able to develop a business environment where our municipalities, long term international investors and financing institutions can join forces to deliver better infrastructure and services for Serbia – paving the way for our sustainable development.
Mr Goran Vesić, Deputy Mayor of Belgrade, stated on this occasion:
Today, the City of Belgrade is delivering on the promise we made to our citizens to protect our environment and improve their quality of life. I am looking forward to the opening of the Waste-to-Energy facility next year, which will enable our capital to decrease its reliance on fossil fuel for district heating and turn waste into resources. Thank to the cooperation with our partners, we make Vinca the home to the most modern waste management facilities in the Balkan region.
Mr Vladimir Milovanović, Managing Director of Beo Čista Energija, stated on this occasion:
We are pleased to announce the completion of the first phase of our landmark public private partnership with the City of Belgrade and start of operations at our new sanitary landfill and recycling center, completed despite the challenging period of Covid-19 pandemic. From now on the citizens of the City of Belgrade will have proper treatment for their waste and we are proud to contribute to a healthier environment in our city.
Philippe Thiel, Country Manager, SUEZ, stated on this occasion:
As a major investor in the BCE consortium and the operator of the new facilities, SUEZ is proud to contribute to this landmark project. We have already created more than 50 qualified jobs here in Belgrade and this will increase to over 100 within the next 12 months as we start commissioning the waste-to-energy plant.
Takanori Morita, Executive Officer, Chief Executive for Europe & CIS Bloc, ITOCHU Corporation stated on this occasion:
We, as a partner of the City of Belgrade, are pleased to see the project entering into its operational phase despite the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. This marks an improvement of one of the most critical environmental issues in Serbia. Itochu, being a reliable partner of Serbia, would like to once again confirm our commitment to the project implementation. Further, Itochu’s aim is to expand its contribution to the development of Serbia and its sustainable society through our ongoing and future business activities.
William Pierson, Managing Partner at Marguerite concluded:
We are very pleased to see tangible results in our first investment in an EU accession country. It is a project with a significant positive environmental and social impact. Once all other elements of the project are completed, including the energy from waste plant, Belgrade will have one of the most modern waste processing facilities in SEE with a minimized environmental footprint. We are very happy that we can contribute to this positive development.
