The facility will help the city comply with national regulations which, from 1st January 2021, will ban Scottish councils from putting any biodegradable municipal waste into landfill.

Currently, in the north east, more than half of household waste is sent to landfill.

In addition to the 20 staff who will eventually manage the facility when it goes live in 2021, the site construction will employ around 200 workers.

Councillor Ramsay Milne, Aberdeen City Council planning development management committee convener, said: “We are delighted that this essential facility has been given the necessary planning go ahead which will allow us to meet our statutory obligations as well as contribute to our zero waste ambitions

“We listened carefully to the concerns raised very cogently by South of the Dee community councils and other members of the local communities. However, the Energy from Waste facility is underpinned by proven and safe technology and has the potential to provide renewable energy to heat homes, businesses and public buildings, helping address fuel poverty and provide jobs in the area.

“The partnership model we have proposed will also mean significant savings in terms of investment in the facility, ensuring that the people of Aberdeen get best value for money.”

The decision to approve the project follows a lengthy period of public engagement which included public events, stakeholder groups and a public hearing on 24 August this year.

It also comes as councillors cemented their commitment to the Powering Aberdeen plan which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2020.

A post-adoption statement providing a framework for monitoring and assessing Aberdeen’s Sustainable Energy Action Plan was backed unanimously by elected members.

The statement identified key environmental issues and trends which will be addressed by the Powering Aberdeen programme namely in tackling energy inefficiency across the city and improving air quality for residents.

The programme will also work across all sectors in Aberdeen to encourage industry growth in green energy technology and renewables.

Significant investment has been set aside for projects such as the £150m energy from waste facility, £4.5m in a digital strategy which will improve energy management, £17m on new over-cladding and window replacement projects which saves 500 tonnes of carbon each year in Seaton.

Construction on the East Tullos site is scheduled to begin in January 2019 and will mirror similar projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.