MetalNRG PLC (LSE:MNRG) has confirmed mechanical and electrical completion at its waste-to-energy plant in Italy near Castiglione d'Orcia, Tuscany, and said commercial operations at the plant - a joint venture with EQTEC PLC (AIM:EQT) - will begin in early 2023.
Further to its project status update of 22 November 2022, the company said all mechanical and electrical components are now in place and installed, with all enhancements to the plant including the additional feeding-in system, the dryer and the thermal oxidizer added to improve the resilience of the business model.
The company said work at the plant has proceeded in a timely manner, however, due to supply chain delays and the late arrival of critical components, the unavailability of suppliers to support testing of ancillary equipment and weeks of severe weather at the site, final performance testing and commercial operations start will now be completed early in the New Year.
The company and the board of EQTEC Italia MDC srl noted the significant progress made by the commissioning team which will break for holidays on 23 December and re-start work in the first week of January 2023.
In a statement, MetalNRG CEO Rolf Gerritsen commented that "with the holiday season coming up and most people taking a week off work, it only makes sense to secure full commissioning of the plant in the New Year when full support is available if difficulties should arise. I congratulate the team on site for a job well done".
The company said it will continue to provide updates on its progress with Italia MDC.