Alternate Energy

Australia’s first waste to power plant approved

BY DAVID TWOMEY · APRIL 10, 2013 · 

Using garbage to generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes every year Australia’s first waste to energy plant could be built in Western Australia.

West Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the $180 million plant, planned for Boodarie near Port Hedland.

The proposed plant uses a process called “gasification” which converts gas from decomposing material into heat and power.

The facility would process as much as 100,000 tonnes of rubbish a year, comprised of commercial and industrial waste and household waste from Port Hedland.

It will not process hazardous materials such as medical waste, asbestos, radioactive waste, highly corrosive or toxic liquids, gases or explosives.

EPA chairman Paul Vogel said waste management in the Pilbara had struggled to keep up with the pressure of the mining boom in the region.

“The key components of the Boodarie facility are all proven technologies with examples operating elsewhere, allowing the proposal to meet the EPA’s objective for air quality,” Mr Vogel told AAP Newsagency.

New Energy Corporation, which is behind the plan, said EPA approval was a major milestone.

“We are passionate about delivering our waste to energy solution and providing a world class environmental outcome for the Pilbara,” said New Energy chairman Chairman Enzo Gullotti.

“This project will ensure that recycling initiatives can be realised on a large scale, landfill diversion rates will be among the highest in Western Australia, and clean renewable power generation is established.”

The ultimate decision on the plant’s future rests with the Environment Minister in West Australia’s conservative Liberal-National state government, Albert Jacob, and could signal the creation of more waste to energy plants across the state.