Please provide the following information relating to the Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) operated by Viridor at Marsh Barton, Exeter:
1. The Z-factor (also referred to as the Z-ratio or heat-to-electricity ratio) for the Exeter ERF, as used or referenced in any technical assessments, planning submissions, permit applications, heat network feasibility studies, documents, reports or contract documents held by the Council, as well as current operational assessments of the z-factor. A tabular form showing: z-factor, source and date would be a helpful way of presenting the information.
Devon County Council does not hold technical assessments information.
2. Any documentation produced by or shared with Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, or Teignbridge District Council by Viridor or their contractors regarding the thermal efficiency and heat export capacity of the Exeter ERF, including any Z-factor calculation methodology used.
In response to the remainder of question 1 and question 2, the requested information is exempt from disclosure under Regulation 12(5)(e) of the Environmental Information Regulations (Confidentiality of Commercial/Industrial Information).
Devon County Council can confirm relevant information is held; however, the information is commercial in nature and is confidential as the price of heat is dependent on the Z-factor . This confidentiality is protecting the legitimate economic interests of both Devon County Council and Viridor Exeter Waste Services Limited.
Releasing information that is valuable to competitors of Viridor Exeter Waste Services Limited into the public domain would harm their ability to retain or improve their market position and would affect the ability of Viridor Exeter Waste Services Limited in the context of existing or future negotiations with third parties and customers.
In addition, the release of the requested information would harm Devon County Council and its ability to maintain and secure beneficial contracts with suppliers and could deter suppliers from wishing to contract with Devon County Council in the future, due to confidentiality concerns.
The Council has considered the public interest in releasing this information and recognises there is a public interest in openness and transparency and building public confidence in the Council’s commercial operations. However, to share the requested information would cause detriment to Devon County Council’s suppliers and its own operations and would be likely to deter third parties from engaging in future contracts. This has the potential for Devon County Council to miss out on beneficial pricing and to obtain best value for money, due to concerns over confidentiality and harm existing commercial relationships makes it clear that the balance of public interest weighs in favour of withholding this information from disclosure.