Four years since it was meant to start working, the Isle of Wight's long-awaited Energy from Waste Plant is now operational - but remains in a testing phase and still needs the final sign-off.

It is more than four years since the Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) on Forest Road, which takes waste destined for landfill and turns it into energy, was supposed to start full-scale operations.

Unforseen technical issues and Covid were both previously given as reasons for the delay.

In the current testing period, the ERF has processed 6,688 tonnes of refuse derived fuel.

When it is at full capacity, the ERF could process 44 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel and generate enough renewable energy to power up to 5,000 homes.

Refuse derived fuel is made from non-recyclable waste — which can come from homes and businesses — and is burnt to produce steam, which drives a turbine and generates electricity.

The non-recyclable waste comes from the waste left over after recycling has been removed at the mechanical treatment plant completed in 2019, which is also based at Forest Park.

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The ERF is part of the council's target to recycle more than 55 per cent of waste and divert more than 90 per cent of it from landfill.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said the ERF is undergoing performance and availability testing and the final testing stage is hoped to be completed in the autumn.

Work started on the ERF in 2017 but its completion, sign-off and handover has continuously been delayed, with the original commencement date slated for May 2019.