Latest news with #Waste-to-Energy
Asia News Network
2 days ago
- Health
- Asia News Network
Waste-to-energy plant blamed for severe air pollution in Indonesia's Surabaya
July 30, 2025 SURABAYA – The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) has urged the Surabaya administration in East Java to shut down the Benowo Waste-to-Energy Power Plant, accusing the facility of contributing significantly to the 'alarming' levels of air pollution across the city. Lucky Wahyu Wardhana, Campaign Manager for WALHI's East Java branch, said air quality monitoring conducted within a three-kilometer radius of the Benowo power plant between November 2024 and January, recorded an average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 26.78 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), with peak levels exceeding 100 µg/m³. 'These figures are nearly double the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 15 µg/m³ and exceed Indonesia's national air quality standard of 55 µg/m³,' he recently told The Jakarta Post. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. Due to their microscopic size, these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks. Lucky warned that prolonged exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and even premature death. He noted that between January and July 2023, the Surabaya Health Agency recorded over 174,000 cases of acute respiratory infections (ISPA) in the city, including more than 6,000 cases among infants. 'The Benowo waste-to-energy power plant is not a solution, it is a source of pollution. The government should protect its citizens, not legitimize harmful and dirty technologies,' he said. The Benowo waste-to-energy power plant was inaugurated in 2015 at the Benowo landfill in Pakal District. The landfill receives approximately 1,600 to 1,700 tons of waste daily, accounting for around 60 to 70 percent of Surabaya's total waste. The facility initially generated electricity by extracting methane gas from the waste mounds, with a capacity of 1.65 megawatts. In 2021, the city expanded the plant by adding a gasification system that incinerates waste at high temperatures to produce electricity, increasing the capacity by 9 MW. About 1,000 tons of waste at the Benowo landfill are processed through the incinerators, while the remaining waste is used for methane gas extraction. Currently, the power plant is operated by the private company PT Sumber Organik under a 20-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with the Surabaya administration. WALHI's Lucky stated that the Surabaya administration has never made the power plant's Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) results publicly accessible, with officials citing patent protection as the reason. 'Denying access to AMDAL documents infringes on constitutional rights. It violates the 2008 Public Information Transparency Law and the 2009 Environmental Protection and Management Law,' he said. Lucky has urged the Surabaya administration to permanently close the Benowo waste-to-energy power plant and instead focus on implementing a community-based zero-waste system. Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi has pledged to investigate the air quality produced by the Benowo plant and determine whether it meets the required standards. He also promised to hold PT Sumber Organik accountable, demanding the company address the issues and imposing sanctions if they fail to improve air quality. In March, the state-owned electricity company PLN praised the Benowo waste-to-energy plant's performance, stating that since its launch, the facility has produced 166.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy for Surabaya residents. 'Benowo stands as a prime example of successful collaboration between PLN and the Surabaya city administration in promoting environmentally friendly technology,' said Ahmad Mustaqir, General Manager of PLN's East Java Distribution Unit. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, also praised the facility, stressing the importance of replicating such initiatives in other cities across Indonesia, particularly those struggling with growing waste management issues.
Barnama
16-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Johor Seeks Federal Funds For Housing, Flood Mitigation, Waste Management Projects
JOHOR BAHRU, July 16 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government has submitted funding applications to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) for several key projects involving public housing, flood mitigation, and modern solid waste management. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the requests were presented during an official meeting with KPKT secretary-general Datuk Wira M Noor Azman Taib in Putrajaya today. The top priority, he said, was securing funds for the phased rejuvenation of the Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (TUTA) flats, which are in need of long-term maintenance and upgrades. 'This initiative is vital to ensure that older low-cost housing remains safe, comfortable, and habitable for residents,' he said in a Facebook post. Mohd Jafni added that Johor is also seeking approval to develop 1,000 housing units under the Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) programme, with the state government committing RM20,000 per unit as part of a cost-sharing initiative to help more people own homes. He said a special request was also made for funds to address flood-prone areas identified as high-risk zones across the state. He urged KPKT to approve phased interventions ahead of the monsoon season to protect vulnerable communities. Another proposal focused on the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project in Bukit Payong, which is expected to become a major driver of sustainable solid waste management in Johor by incorporating green technology. 'All these proposals are part of a clear and focused effort to improve the quality of life for Johoreans and strengthen the state's infrastructure. 'These initiatives align with the broader vision of Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi under the 'MAJU JOHOR' agenda — to build a modern, resilient state that puts the people first in every policy and implementation,' he added.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
TN accelerates plans for waste-to-energy plant in Tambaram to address mounting challenges
Chennai: In a move to address the mounting challenge of solid waste management in Tambaram, the Tamil Nadu government has fast-tracked plans to establish a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant within the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation limits. The initiative, announced during the 2025 State Budget, aims to process the 400 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste generated daily in the region. To take the project forward, the State's Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department has floated a tender inviting consultants to prepare a detailed feasibility report and offer transition advisory services. The WtE facility is expected to be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. According to MAWS officials, the proposed site for the plant is the Vengadamangalam dumpyard, which falls under the Tambaram Corporation's jurisdiction. However, consultants will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the site. 'If the location is found to be unfit due to environmental or logistical constraints, the consultant must help identify alternate suitable sites,' an official said. The consultancy assignment includes preparing a master plan for the WtE facility along with associated infrastructure. It will also involve assessing ambient air quality and conducting pollution dispersion modelling based on varied climatic conditions. This environmental due diligence is seen as crucial in light of public opposition to similar projects elsewhere. In Kodungaiyur, for instance, residents have vocally opposed a proposed WtE plant, citing concerns over air pollution and associated health risks. Learning from such resistance, the government is placing greater emphasis on environmental impact studies and community acceptance. The scope of the current tender also includes identifying suitable locations for integrated solid waste processing facilities in Perungudi. These are expected to comprise a bio-CNG plant, a compost facility, and an automated material recovery facility (AMRF) -- all of which are essential for efficient waste segregation and resource recovery. The Tambaram WtE project is being developed in partnership with international funding agencies, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Germany's KfW Development Bank, which have been supporting Tamil Nadu's urban infrastructure push amid rapid population growth and urbanisation. With sustainability and public health at the core of the project's planning, the state hopes to set a benchmark in modern waste management through this initiative.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
North Chennai residents, experts to propose alternatives to waste-to-energy plant in Kodungaiyur
As the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) advances the ₹1,268.38 crore Integrated Solid Waste Processing Facility (IWPF) in Kodungaiyur, residents of North Chennai have roped in experts to propose alternatives to the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant planned for the area. Residents, under the aegis of the Federation of North Chennai Residents' Welfare Associations, have opposed the project since its proposal. T.K. Shanmugam, president of the federation, stated that during a recent meeting with Chennai Mayor R. Priya, she said the project could not be scrapped. 'She asked us to propose alternative plans and mentioned that, if a suitable and less invasive plan is developed in consultation with experts, it could be considered,' he said. Alternative proposal D.K. Chythenyen of the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) has confirmed that the CFA is preparing a proposal for an alternative. He noted that a study is being drafted in consultation with experts who have worked with the Kerala government on decentralised waste management. The alternative model under preparation includes zero-waste strategies, such as biomethanation and enhanced public participation in waste segregation. The first draft is currently under preparation. According to another expert involved in developing alternative proposals, cities that work in partnership with communities are implementing cost-effective methods, biomethanation, composting, recycling, and proven combinations of less-invasive approaches that function effectively upto the Panchayat level. For example, in the Philippines, 90% of waste is reportedly managed through recycling and composting, with only 10% sent to landfills. These systems employ significant manpower, thereby generating local employment. Similar decentralised models have also been documented in India, the expert added. Gaps flagged in Delhi incinerator Earlier, the CFA had authored a related study on WtE operations in Delhi. It had said Delhi currently operates four WtE plants, located at Okhla, Ghazipur, Bawana, and Tehkhand. These facilities incinerate a total of 7,250 ton of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day, amounting to 66% of the city's daily waste. By 2027, authorities plan to increase WtE capacity to handle 14,250 ton per day, it had stated. According to this study, the combustion process in WtEs releases residual heat into the environment through multiple pathways, including flue gas, hot bottom ash, condensers, and storage pits. Each ton of incinerated waste produces around 5,500 cubic metres of flue gas at 200°C. Collectively, the four plants emit an estimated 3,98,75,000 cubic metres of flue gas and 12,325 ton of CO₂ daily. The report also noted that, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April 2025, regular monitoring of WtEs had not occurred between 2020 and 2024, with sampling outsourced and infrequent. Opposition continues In a letter dated June 23, 2025, to the GCC, the Federation of Residents Welfare Associations stated that the current dump yard at Kodungaiyur is situated within an 'Institutional Use Zone', as defined in the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026. Referring to Development Regulation No. 19, the association noted that the dumping and storage of waste in this zone is a prohibited activity and urged for the immediate removal of the dump yard. The letter further highlighted that continued operations at the site have resulted in 'severe respiratory, cancerous and innumerable irretrievable diseases' among the local population, composed largely of wage-earners and those living below the poverty line. 'No plans to scrap project' A senior official from the GCC's Solid Waste Management Department, meanwhile, confirmed that there were no plans to scrap the WtE project. The GCC recently floated a tender worth ₹8.53 crore for the appointment of an independent engineer to oversee the project's implementation, including infrastructure development at the dump yard. The IWPF project is expected to come up adjacent to the Kodungaiyur dump yard, and comprises a WtE power plant, an automated material recovery facility (MRF), a composting unit, and a bio-CNG plant. The WtE and MRF units account for ₹1,026.41 crore of the total cost, while ₹142.97 crore and ₹99 crore have been allocated for the composting and bio-CNG facilities, respectively. The capital outlay for Phase I stands at ₹853.20 crore, with Phase II projected at ₹415.18 crore. Processed waste will be treated at the site, with residual matter transported to a designated sanitary landfill.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bioenergy push: Centre revises Waste-to-Energy guidelines to ease project approvals; slashes red tape, boosts flexibility
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has unveiled revised guidelines for its Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Programme under the National Bioenergy Programme, aiming to simplify procedures, enhance transparency, and link financial support to the actual performance of energy plants. According to a statement from the ministry, the new framework is designed to 'foster a more efficient, transparent, and performance-oriented ecosystem for Bio Waste to Energy deployment in India'. As per news agency ANI, one of the most significant changes is the overhaul of the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) disbursement process. Earlier, companies had to wait until their plant achieved 80% of its rated generation capacity to receive CFA. Under the new rules, the support will now be released in two stages: 50% of the total CFA will be given once the Consent to Operate certificate is issued by the respective State Pollution Control Board and submitted with a bank guarantee. The balance will be released once the plant reaches 80% of its rated or eligible capacity, whichever is lesser. Importantly, if the plant fails to reach the 80% generation benchmark, a pro-rata CFA will be provided, calculated on the basis of actual output, provided the Plant Load Factor (PLF) exceeds 50%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo No assistance will be granted for plants performing below that threshold. These changes are expected to particularly benefit MSMEs by reducing procedural bottlenecks, cutting down paperwork, and easing approval processes, thereby supporting higher production of Compressed Biogas (CBG), biogas and power. The updated guidelines are also expected to contribute to India's waste management goals, including handling agricultural stubble and industrial waste, while helping the country progress towards its 2070 net-zero emissions target. The inspection process has also been streamlined. Joint inspections will now be conducted by the National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE)—an autonomous institute under MNRE—along with one agency among State Nodal Agencies, Biogas Technology Development Centres, or MNRE-empanelled bodies. For developers not seeking advanced CFA, only one post-commissioning performance inspection will be required, reducing procedural delays. Developers now also have the flexibility to claim CFA within 18 months from the date of commissioning or the date of in-principle approval, whichever is later. The ministry said these measures would make the Waste-to-Energy sector more investor-friendly by aligning financial assistance with plant output and real-time performance. With these sweeping changes, MNRE is betting on a performance-based incentive model that not only strengthens India's renewable energy ecosystem but also builds a more resilient and sustainable waste management infrastructure. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
