Kgatleng pioneers waste-to-energy plant
Lerato Maleke | Tuesday April 15, 2014 12:39
During the signing ceremony last Thursday, it was revealed that the pioneering plant will consist of two phases, each costing US$85 million (P733m) and will create between 500 to 1,000 jobs when spin-off activities such as quarrying, recycling and salvaging are added.
The plant will receive and process available solid waste, capture and neutralise carbon dioxide emitted in the processes and produce mineral commodities as well as electricity. The plant is the result of a partnership between KDDF, Kgatleng District Council, Hellelinics Geo-Technical Engineering, Kalahari Conservation Society, Kagisano Innovations and Synchrona Waste Management.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Peter Siele said Phase One of the plant would process 20 tonnes of fresh waste per day with electricity produced being used to power the plant. A small amount, he said, would be sold to an off-taker. “Concurrent with establishment of Phase One of the facility, Clean Energy Botswana will construct and operate a demonstration Carbon Capture and Neutralisation Plant connected to the waste-to-energy facility,” the minister said, adding that, “This will capture 80 percent of any carbon dioxide emissions and enable the production of select minerals from feldspar brought in to the facility”.
Phase Two of the project involves the expansion of the waste-to-energy facility, which will handle 400 tonnes of waste per day.
“This second phase will extend the waste management solution of beyond Kgatleng District to Gaborone, South East, Kweneng and Lobatse councils,” the minister said.
Siele said the initiative would alleviate the challenge of solid waste management particularly in Kgatleng where the Pilane landfill has reached capacity. “My ministry continues to encourage local authorities and other community-based organisations to come up with solutions to solve challenges facing them and thus assist government,” he said.
“This initiative and partnership is indicative of the fact that communities are capable of taking charge of their own destiny. It is a win-win undertaking and I urge all parties to nurture the relationship,” Siele said. The Carbon Capture Plant will mine the existing Pilane landfill and others in the vicinity, increasing volumes of waste processed.