A new chapter has begun in power generation through the agreement to generate power from waste for the first time in Bangladesh.
The process of incineration or power generation through waste, will not only make electricity production efficient but also eliminate the problem of excessive garbage.
Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Md Tajul Islam said made the claim while speaking as the chief guest at the agreement signing ceremony to set up a 42.5 MW power plant at Aminbazar. The event was held at Hotel Sonargaon of the capital on Wednesday.
The minister said that the process of generating electricity from waste is an environment friendly procedure. The Chinese company will start generating electricity within 18 months of the start of operations. All kinds of preparations have been taken in this regard.
“The Chinese company would set up, operate and maintain the plant at its own risk. The City Corporation will provide the necessary land and regular waste. The power department will purchase the generated electricity,” he said.
Not only Dhaka North City Corporation but also South City Corporation, Gazipur, Narayanganj and all city corporations of the country including Chittagong, divisional and district cities and even municipalities are working to generate electricity from waste, added the minister.
He further shared that those departments or district towns or municipalities which can supply 600 tons of garbage per day, will be able to generate electricity directly from the waste in coordination with the power department.
The minister said, “Incineration is the best method for Bangladesh to generate electricity by following the model followed by Japan and other European countries. This method does not harm the environment. Therefore, with the consent of the Prime Minister, it has been decided to generate electricity by burning waste.”
The DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam, while speaking as the special guest at the event, shared that DNCC has allocated 30 acres of land in the Aminbazar area of the capital for waste-based power generation projects.
“The project with a capacity of 42.5 MW will generate a total of 3,000 metric tons of solid waste per day. The use of solid waste from the city as a raw material in the project would play a helpful role in the city's waste management as well as maintaining a safe and healthy environment,” said the mayor.
The event concluded with agreements being signed between the local government department, the power department, the North City Corporation and the China Machinery Engineering Corporation.
It was informed at the event that the 42.5 MW power plant in Aminbazar area under Dhaka North City Corporation will cost about Tk 15,325cr. It will require three thousand tons of waste every day to function and the price of electricity per kilowatt will be Tk 18.295.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Senior Secretary for Local Government Department Helaluddin Ahmed and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jim were also present as special guests at the function presided over by Power Division Secretary Md Habibur Rahman.
