Sri Lanka’s first Waste-to-Energy Plant was officially launched today in Kerawalapitiya by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The power plant is planned to generate 10 megawatts using 700 tons of garbage daily and will operate by collecting waste from the area. Over 3, 500 metric tons of household waste is produced daily. In the absence of a waste-to-energy plant, municipal solid waste will collect in landfills, polluting both the ground water and the environment. The waste-to-energy plant will incinerate this waste, supplied by the Colombo Municipal Council. 600 – 800 tons of waste will be processed every day and the power supplied to the national grid.
Update:
Waste to Energy power plant opened
Sandasen Marasinghe
Sri Lanka’s first Waste-to-Energy Power Plant which is a sustainable solution for both the garbage issue in the City as well as the energy issue was launched by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kerawalapitiya yesterday morning (17).
The waste-to-energy plant will incinerate the waste supplied by the Colombo Municipal Council (around 600 – 800 tons daily) and the generated electricity would be supplied to the National Grid. This project falls within the Western Region Megapolis Plan.
The Non-conventional Renewable Energy produced by the project is compatible with the NCRE targets put in place by the Ministry of Power and Energy. Additionally, the power plant has been completely aligned with global benchmarks for social, environmental governance, and sustainability during its construction and is set to exceed these standards during operation.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a message stated the solid waste management process in the city of Colombo has been going on for a long time, facing various challenges. The Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy Project which was launched as a result of continuous efforts to solve that problem is unique. It is a milestone in the solid waste management process not only in the city of Colombo, but in the entire country.
Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, in a message stated that it is the Ministry of Power’s intention, to find a sustainable solution to the waste management problem which is a complex and long-running issue. By generating cost-effective, renewable energy from something that would otherwise cause stench and disgust, we have provided an elegant solution to an age-old problem.
Waste disposal has become a severe problem, especially in the Western Province, where over 3, 500 metric tons of household waste is produced daily. In the
absence of a waste-to-energy plant, municipal solid waste will collect in landfills, polluting both the ground water and the environment.
As the Power Minister Alahapperuma appreciated the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Colombo Municipal Council, Aitken Spence PLC, and all those who provided strength, power, and courage to make the Kerawalapitiya solid waste power plant a reality.
The residue ash (bottom ash) leftover from the incineration of waste is reused to produce cinder blocks for the construction industry, while the flue gas undergoes special catalytic treatment to remove all harmful particles before being released via a 60m tall smokestack. These stack emissions will be tested regularly to ensure compliance with the stipulations of the Central Environmental Authority. The power plant will also be monitored along a stringent social and environmental management system in its operations. Aitken Spence has made an investment of approx. Rs. 15 Billion through the Western Power Company (WPC) in the project initiated with the Ceylon Electricity Board and with the mediation of the Colombo Municipal Council.
Ministers C B Rathnayake, Mahinda Amaraweera, State Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, Nalaka Godahewa, Nimal Lanza, Seetha Arambepola, Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC Deshamanya D.H.S. Jayawardena participated in the event.
