Sri Lanka launches first waste to energy power plant
Sri Lanka’s first waste-to-energy power plant set up by the Aitken Spence Group’s Western Power Company was officially launched in Kerawalapitiya last week by Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The growing problem of waste disposal was addressed by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) who had reportedly invited bids for the implementation of an environmentally acceptable and sustainable mechanism for the disposal of municipal solid waste.
The Western Power Company Ltd. (WPC), which is a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, was selected through this competitive bidding process and was the only company to complete the project amongst few others.
Aitken Spence has since spearheaded the implementation of the project, and its operation is the culmination of years of careful planning and an investment of approx. Rs. 15 billion, local media reports stated.
WPC has entered into a Waste Supply Agreement (WSA) with the CMC and a Standardised Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for a period of 20 years in 2017, reports further stated.
WPC has also entered into a contract with a leading Chinese engineering company to design, build, and transfer a modern waste incineration plant. Renowned engineering consultancy firm, Ramboll AG, headquartered in Denmark was appointed as the Owner’s Engineer.
Sri Lanka’s Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Western Province Governor Sri Lanka Air Force Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake, Aitken Spence Chairman Deshamanya D.H.S. Jayawardena and other dignitaries were present at the launch.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa has stated at the launch, “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 Sri Lanka. I extend my congratulations to the Colombo Municipal Council for giving pioneering support to this project, and the Aitken Spence Group for giving financial support and implementing the project, the Ministry of Power and the Ceylon Electricity Board.”
Minister Alahapperuma, in his message has stated: “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. As the Minister of Power, I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to 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.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka has been for several years been exploring methods to sustainably dispose of the waste collected in the country. In this backdrop, the latest waste to energy generation plant launched recently provides the best solution for efficient disposal of waste as well as provide a solution to the impending power crisis in the country. Therefore, there’s a growing demand for the expansion of programmes to increase power generation in the country as well as to efficiently dispose waste. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s waste disposal as well as power generation sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210309/Z_6 |