The Hindu 12.06.2013
Firms to generate power from garbage shortlisted
Corporation assures 150 to 200 tonnes of garbage a day.
Four companies have been shortlisted for generating electricity from the Ramaiyanpatti garbage dump on the outskirts of the town.
In the wake of issues related to fire accidents and other problems at the 40-acre garbage dump, the Municipal Corporation was forced to execute a solid waste management programme. Moreover, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has ordered the civic body to execute a solid waste management programme as early as possible, considering the wellbeing of the people living nearby.
When Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced the Rs. 55-crore power project for the Corporation using waste as raw material for producing electricity, the local body heaved a sigh of relief as it would not have any financial burden.
Letters of Interest were invited from interested companies for the project and five firms responded and one was found to be not qualified.
The remaining four companies have been asked to submit their proposal based on the assurance given by the Corporation that it would be supplying 150 to 200 tonnes of garbage a day.
“With this quantum of waste, the company selected for this programme will be able to generate 2 MW electricity which would ensure a lot of savings in the Corporation’s electricity bill,” said a Corporation official.
Energy audit
Meanwhile, the Corporation is in the process of identifying a company for conducting energy audit in the areas under its jurisdiction. As per the proposed exercise, the company would conduct a comprehensive survey on the usage of streetlights and other electrical equipment of the Corporation and submit its suggestions on energy savings within six months. It will suggest the exact number of streetlights to be used across the town.
“When the suggestions are implemented, it will save a sizable amount for the Corporation and the savings will be shared by the Corporation and the firm that conducted the energy audit,” the official said.
