A step towards sustainability - converting Waste to Energy
Giving a fillip to Swachh Bharat Mission conceived by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has chalked out a plan to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into energy.For this, we will promote MSW to Energy in Andhra Pradesh by setting up such projects for an aggregate capacity of 130 MW at locations identified by our MA & UD department.
We will select the project developers for the identified locations through a Swiss Challenge (competitive bidding) process. One such plant will be set up in each district.
Recently, I visited the Timparpur Okhla Waste to Energy plant in New Delhi operated on a PPP basis by Jindal Group. This 18-MW project processes 2,000 – 2,500 tonnes of garbage per day and sells 50% energy generated to BRPL (BSES Rajdhani Power Limited) and balance in open market.
Currently, the installed capacity of Solid Waste to Energy projects in Andhra Pradesh is only 6 MW as against the estimated potential of 140-160 MW and are currently non-functional. A 1-MW plant requires around 50-60 tonnes of MSW daily.
Some of the technologies to convert MSW to Energy are Thermal conversion, Thermochemical conversion, Biochemical conversion and Electro chemical conversion.
Countries like China, Japan, Singapore, USA have recognised the importance of MSW to energy projects and have set up projects like Beijing Gaontun project (30 MW), Nakata Waste Management project, Keppel Tuas (22 MW), Covanta Lee County project (18 MW), respectively.
The reason why we are considering Waste to Energy Projects are:
a. Emphasis of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NACPP) on MSW processing
b. Emphasis given by The Electricity Act, 2003 and National Tariff Policy, 2006 on promotion of MSW to Energy projects
c. Twin benefits from MSW to energy projects of MSW disposal and Electricity generation (thereby reducing dependence on coal and gas as fuel)
In Andhra Pradesh, nearly 8,000 tonnes of MSW is generated every day but the disposal mechanism of this huge amount of MSW is not developed and faces numerous challenges.
To reap the dual benefits of converting waste to energy and by achieving objectives under the Swachh Andhra Mission, the government has embarked on a journey to make this fruitful.
I strongly believe that this is a step towards sustainability and sustainable living is the only way forward.
Recently, I visited the Timparpur Okhla Waste to Energy plant in New Delhi operated on a PPP basis by Jindal Group. This 18-MW project processes 2,000 – 2,500 tonnes of garbage per day and sells 50% energy generated to BRPL (BSES Rajdhani Power Limited) and balance in open market.
Currently, the installed capacity of Solid Waste to Energy projects in Andhra Pradesh is only 6 MW as against the estimated potential of 140-160 MW and are currently non-functional. A 1-MW plant requires around 50-60 tonnes of MSW daily.
Some of the technologies to convert MSW to Energy are Thermal conversion, Thermochemical conversion, Biochemical conversion and Electro chemical conversion.
Countries like China, Japan, Singapore, USA have recognised the importance of MSW to energy projects and have set up projects like Beijing Gaontun project (30 MW), Nakata Waste Management project, Keppel Tuas (22 MW), Covanta Lee County project (18 MW), respectively.
The reason why we are considering Waste to Energy Projects are:
a. Emphasis of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NACPP) on MSW processing
b. Emphasis given by The Electricity Act, 2003 and National Tariff Policy, 2006 on promotion of MSW to Energy projects
c. Twin benefits from MSW to energy projects of MSW disposal and Electricity generation (thereby reducing dependence on coal and gas as fuel)
In Andhra Pradesh, nearly 8,000 tonnes of MSW is generated every day but the disposal mechanism of this huge amount of MSW is not developed and faces numerous challenges.
To reap the dual benefits of converting waste to energy and by achieving objectives under the Swachh Andhra Mission, the government has embarked on a journey to make this fruitful.
I strongly believe that this is a step towards sustainability and sustainable living is the only way forward.