The Hindu 28.03.2013
Govt still clueless over waste plant technology
A solution to the vexed problem of solid waste
management in the city seems distant as the government continues to be
in the dark on the technology to be adopted at the proposed new plant in
Brahamapuram.
Efforts to initiate a waste-to-energy
plant based on incineration method have backfired after the three
companies that submitted the final bids informed that only 14 units of
power could be generated from one tonne of waste.
The
Department of Urban Affairs, which termed the estimates as below
expectations, had pointed out that at least 300 units could be generated
through the processing of one tonne of solid waste.
The
setting up of the plant will be delayed as even the implementation of
the ‘Swiss challenge’ approach of competitive bidding will not be an
attractive option for prospective bidders because the solid waste
generated in the city is not suitable for incineration. It is also not
properly segregated.
Companies have informed the
authorities that waste-to-energy plants need high capital cost requiring
continuous utilisation and availability. Potential investors also fear
negative public perception towards stack omission from waste-to-energy
plants.
V. N. Sivasankara Pillai, former Director of
School of Environmental Studies at Cochin University of Science and
Technology, said waste to energy plants had not worked in the country.
Moreover, the local bodies here had failed to conduct proper
characterization and quantification of solid waste, he said.
Greens
had also pointed out earlier that waste incinerators produce several
hazardous by-products, including dioxins and heavy metals. The burning
of waste would have an adverse impact on areas nearby the plant where
thousands reside, they said.
Despite the
disadvantages, the Department of Urban Affairs is trying to invite
companies interested in setting up waste-to-energy plants, thanks to the
Union government’s decision to support cities and municipalities to
take up waste-to-energy projects in public private partnership.
Three
companies that submitted the final bids informed that only 14 units of
power could be generated from one tonne of waste, which was found to be
below expectation.