BMC to convert solid waste to electricity

Of the 6,500 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste generated in the city daily, Deonar receives about 4,000 metric tonnes, Kanjurmarg about 2,000 metric tonnes and Mulund about 500 metric tonnes. The city also generates 2,000-2,500 metric tonnes of construction waste (debris and silt) daily.

The BMC has issued tenders for the project, and shortlisted 31 foreign and Indian firms. “The firms can use any technology, including bio-methanisation to generate electricity. But we will be able to sell this electricity only after receiving permission from Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC),” said Prakash Patil, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management).

This is not the first time that the civic administration will be attempting to set up waste-to-energy plants. In 2009-10, a project to produce fertiliser from about 2,000 tonnes of garbage at Deonar dumping ground and 6.9 MW electricity from the 500 tonnes of garbage collected at the Mulund dumping ground was scrapped as contractors were not ready to bear the entire cost.

This time, the BMC will contribute 50 per cent of the project cost to make the venture viable, said civic officials. They said that companies from Sweden, Germany and several Indian companies have shown interest in the project. BMC officials had also visited Pune and Delhi where a waste-to-energy plants are functional.

sharvari.patwa@expressindia.com