However, its residual thermal energy is enough to sustain heat for billions of years as it slowly dissipates.

FORBES: White Dwarfs May Hold The Key To Finding Alien Life

Veolia Environmental Services was the other firm fighting to run the incinerator, and whose spokesperson said it believed it was "sympathetic with the local environment and represented a unique opportunity to use the residual waste to provide a secure source of sustainable energy and heat to the neighbouring Tata Steel steelworks - a major source of employment in the area".

BBC: Artist's impression of a Viridor plant in Cardiff