PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE (PFI) PROJECT FOR A SOIL IMPROVEMENT PLANT FOR EFFECTIVE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE INCINERATION ASH

To promote effective use of ash from incinerated sewage sludge, the City of Yokohama has built a soil improvement plant that transforms the weak earth derived from excavation sites into soil suitable for backfill by mixing it with this ash. To further expand effective use of incinerated sludge ash, it has made plans for instatement of a private finance initiative (PFI) scheme to harness private-sector financial, technical, and administrative capabilities in all aspects from facility enlargement to operational management.The main features of the PFI scheme for the soil improvement plant are as follows.Enlargement of the plant with funds raised by the PFI company, and transfer to the cityApproval by the city of use (free of charge) of the land and plant by the PFI companySupply of the incinerated sludge ash by the city to the PFI company for a feeOperation of the plant by the PFI company and generation of income from sales of the improved soil producedUse of earth from public works, utility, and private-sector projects as well as sewerage construction projectsA contract has been concluded with a private company, and matters are currently at the stage of construction for enlargement of the plant.