Like any other environmental plant at Vienna, the waste incineration plant “MVA Pfaffenau” was built according to the highest technological and ecological standards. And this high-tech claim will remain committing while operating. There had been a test procedure concerning the environmental impact, according to Europe's most demanding environmental norms. The result underwrites an utmost environmentally sound waste processing, including the most modern technology.

About 750 employees were engaged at the waste incineration plant “MVA Pfaffenau” during the remarkably short construction time (facing the project's magnitude). Later about 50 people will care for a smooth process of the plant. With approximately 235 million € of general amount to be invested, the waste incineration plant “MVA Pfaffenau” and the “Biogas Wien” plant are a stimulus for the local economy, providing new jobs at Vienna.

Since 2004 the Austrian law forbids the landfilling of any untreated residual waste on waste dumps. Because of its specific situation the City of Vienna gained a special regulation until 2009. Thanks to the waste incineration plant “MVA Pfaffenau”, no residual waste will remain useless on waste dumps but will be transformed into useful energy instead, starting autumn 2008.

until 2002 - preliminary studies

The strategic environmental audit (SUP) regards the thermic residual waste treatment as the ecologically most advising alternative, a point of view that is shared by the waste management`s interests.

After 16 possible locations had been scrutinised, the results showed that Simmering is decidedly the best facility:

• Ideal transport connection and therefore the shortest routes of transport
• Good accessibility due to the airport motorway connection
• Yet existing infrastructure at the environmental centre Simmering
• No residential or recreation area in the neighbourhood
• In agreement with regional planning and patterns of utilisation („environmental centre“)

April 2002
Foundation “Wiener Kommunal- Umweltschutzprojektgesellschaft m.b.H. (WKU) for design, sheduling and construction of waste processing plants.

Summer 2002
Initial planning work.

Autumn 2002 until summer 2003
Preparation for the issue “environmental impact study” (UVE) and planning of the technological exhibition.

June 2003
EU-wide competition of architects: 33 contributions, one winner: Veselinovic/Resetarits/Gmeiner-Haferl, architectural practise, Vienna.

July 2003
Lodgment of aprobation documents to the authorities and beginning of the issue “environmental impact assesment” (UVP), considering the Vienna citizens.

March 2004
Building permit first instance (premier federal state of Vienna).

October 2004
Building permit second instance (ministry of the environment).

December 2004 until October 2005
Procurement procedure.

March 2006
Start of construction.

April 2008 until September 2008
Initial and trial operation.

October 2008
Normal operation.