Sri Lanka’s first waste-to-energy power plant was launched in Kerawalapitiya by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa recently.
Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma, Governor of the Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force (Rtd.) Roshan Goonetileke, Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake and Chairman of Aitken Spence, D.H.S. Jayawardena were also present.
The Western Power Company (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, was selected through a competitive bidding process. Aitken Spence has since spearheaded the implementation of the project with an investment of approximately Rs. 15 billion. Western Power Company (WPC) entered into a Waste Supply Agreement (WSA) with the CMC and a Standardised Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board, for 20 years in 2017. WPC also entered into a contract with a Chinese engineering company to design, build, and transfer a modern waste incineration plant.
Engineering consultancy firm, Ramboll AG, headquartered in Denmark was the owner’s engineer. Chairman of Aitken Spence Harry Jayawardena said, “As a diversified conglomerate we have always taken a progressive approach to investment. This venture is guided by the principles of sustainability, responsible corporate stewardship, and progress through innovation and development.
It gives me great pleasure to see years of meticulous planning and hard work finally come to fruition. This power plant will give Sri Lankans access to clean, reliable energy, help with beautification of the city and hopefully set a trend for clean, renewable sources of energy.”
The plant will incorporate the latest technology to ensure clean energy and minimal impact on the environment. 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 company conducted environmental and social impact assessments at multiple stages before and during the construction of the power plant with the inspections carried out by external, independent parties. The power plant will also be monitored along a stringent social and environmental management system in its operations.
The waste-to-energy power plant will provide 10MW of electricity to the national grid and this 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. The power plant has been aligned with global benchmarks for social, environmental governance, and sustainability during its construction and is set to exceed these standards during operation.