Meridiam inaugurates Olsztyn Waste-to-Energy plant in Poland

Meridiam and its partners inaugurated today Olsztyn Waste-to-Energy PPP project, located in north-eastern Poland. The facility produces renewable energy from municipal waste diverted from landfills, reducing the city’s reliance on coal and fossil fuels, while serving the heating needs of one third of Olsztyn population (170,000 inhabitants).

This Waste-to-Energy plant will handle more than 100,000 tons of non-recycled and non-biodegradable waste per year, contributing to the EU waste treatment regulations by significantly reducing reliance on landfills. Utilizing waste as a resource, it will support a circular economy and lower environmental impact, preventing methane emissions generated from decomposing waste. Taking also into consideration the decarbonisation of the energy produced by transitioning away from coal, Olsztyn Waste-to-Energy plant will thus avoid the emissions of 100,000 tons of CO2 every year.

“The Olsztyn waste-to-energy plant is a great example of fruitful cooperation between the public and private sectors, ultimately serving everyone’s interests” said Thierry Déau, Founder and CEO of Meridiam. “This project is remarkable in so many ways and not only on an efficiency and an economic point of view. The city’s non-recycled and non-biodegradable waste is now being used to produce renewable energy to meet a third of the population of Olsztyn’s heating needs. Contributing to the transition from coal to green and avoiding massive CO2 emissions every year.”

With strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and local employment, the project complies with ISO 14001:2015 and SA 8000 standards for environmental and social responsibility. It involved 340 contractors during construction, ensured long-term employment opportunities for Olsztyn and its greater region population, and achieved full gender balance within its management team. The project was certified under LMA Green Loan Principles, emphasizing its environmental sustainability.

Meridiam is a 95% shareholder of the project, which consisted in the design, construction, financing, and currently the operation and maintenance of the Waste-to-Energy plant for 25 years of operation. It represents an investment of more than 230 million euros (more than 1bn PLN), including EU subsidies of over 54 million euros (233m PLN).