Waste-to-energy projects on the cards

In order to meet the growing need for energy and to tackle the issue of environmental pollution it has been decided to introduce waste-to-energy projects for alternative energy systems in all major cities of Punjab, including Rawalpindi.

In this regard, sources said the Punjab Local Government and Energy Departments have received the data on solid waste produced daily in big cities.

“After the feasibility study, alternative energy projects will be set up for each city,” the sources said, adding that a preliminary estimate of 16 to 18 megawatts of electricity has been made utilising the 850 tonnes of solid waste produced daily from the Rawalpindi city.

Being the twin city of the federal capital, due to the increasing pressure of the population, in addition to other problems being faced in terms of basic needs, the continuous increase in the daily produced solid waste has created problems for the garrison city’s sanitation system.

Further, due to the absence of a waste disposal plant at the dumping site of solid waste, the problems of underground water reservoirs and air pollution have started to intensify.

To get rid of this situation, it was decided to use the solid waste to generate electricity, for which waste-to-energy projects will be set up in all major cities of Punjab through which not only the electricity needs of these cities will be met under the alternative system, but apart from cleaning, the problems of land and air pollution will also be addressed.

According to sources, the Punjab Local Government and Energy Departments have started initial work on the waste-to-energy projects.

According to the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company's General Manager Operation, Hasnain Ahmed, the details of 850 tons of solid waste produced daily by Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) have already been sent to the Punjab Local Government and Energy Departments.

On the other hand, concerning alternative sources of energy, expert Abdul Sattar Nadeem says that there have been successful experiences of waste-to-energy projects in other countries of the world.

“Given the increasing population in our cities, if an alternative system to the already overburdened energy system is introduced in relation to the need of each city, it will also save national resources and meet the need for energy at a lower cost,” he maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2023.