Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme
Established in 2006, the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP) (and historically the Waste Infrastructure Initiative (WI)) was intended to accelerate the delivery of residual waste treatment infrastructure such as Energy from Waste plants.
Delivery
Historically projects typically progressed under PFI and PPP models, under DBFO contractual arrangements, the pace of which was accelerated with the introduction of the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP) in 2006 and the ability to secure grants under the Waste Infrastructure Initiative (WI). Now no longer available, the focus is currently on the operational phase and the delivery of value for money from existing contracts[1].
Current Position
The PFI model has been criticised as not necessarily being value for money for the taxpayer, and WIDP now brings together expertise from DEFRA, Infrastructure UK and Local Partnerships (a joint Treasury/Local Government Association owned company set up to support local authorities) which provide expert waste technology, financing and contractual advice to the programme[1].