Delhi has three waste-to-energy plants in Ghazipur, Narela and Okhla. The plant in Ghazipur which was not operational for 6 months due to maintenance. Commenced its work on Wednesday, May 5.

The Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Saxena said that the WTE Plant beside the Ghazipur landfill site has become operational.

He tweeted saying that “Of the 2600 MTs of garbage generated daily in East Delhi, the plant will consume 1300 MTs per day and would reduce additional burden of fresh waste on the mounds of Ghazipur”.

In this plant, only 52.5 lakh tonnes of legacy waste have been processed so far. The plant has been utilizing 1400-1500 metric tons of municipal waste and Refuse Derived Fuel Waste (RDF) daily. In the month of April, two fire incidents were reported in the area where fresh waste was being dumped.

A senior EDMC official also commented by saying that “The Concessionaire has confirmed that the plant will begin operation from Thursday with consumption of waste in small quantities in the beginning. By May 15-20, it will become fully operational.”

What is a WTE Plant?

It facilitates the collection of waste from various landfills. And generates energy from the process of combustion of municipal solid waste. These facilities are designed to convert the remains after recycling into electricity for homes and businesses or steam for export to industries. 

Waste-To-Energy plants burn municipal solid waste often known as garbage or trash. To produce steam in a boiler that is used to generate electricity. This municipal waste is a mixture of energy-rich materials such as plastics, paper, yard waste and wooden products. 

Delhi has registered a jump of around 15% in the quantity of waste being dumped into the three landfill sites. As compared to the previous year, according to the government’s data.

According to reports submitted to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Pollution Control Board. Delhi generated 10990 tonnes per day (TPD) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in April 2021, on average. 

Other than using fresh waste at the WTE Plant, RDF was also being used as a huge stock which had piled up at the landfill.

EDMC needs more space at the landfill to set up five pairs of trommel machines. Each having a capacity of 900 tonnes of legacy waste every day. “We have sought the finance department’s approval after which we will place it before the commissioner before inviting empanelled agencies to install and operate the machines,” the official said.

Currently, there are 26 working trommel machines at Ghazipur, including four pairs of machines with a capacity to process 50 tonnes of waste per hour. Also, through these machines, EDMC processes 2500 to 3000 tonnes of waste on a daily basis.

Written By: Ishita Sachdeva

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