The recent research undertaken by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has uncovered some startling facts about waste-to-energy (WTE) plants across India. The investigation suggests that nearly half of the country’s WTE plants, designed to convert non-biodegradable waste, are currently inoperative. It also paints a gloomy picture of the remaining functioning plants, which appear to be operating at significantly low capacities.
The State of WTE Plants in India
Since 1987, there have been 15 WTE plants set up throughout India. Unfortunately, seven of these plants have been forced to close down. The key reasons behind their closure is primarily linked to their inability to effectively handle mixed solid waste, coupled with the high cost of the electricity they generate, which makes them unattractive to power companies.
In India, municipal solid waste (MSW), largely unsegregated, has low calorific value but high moisture and inert material content (like soil, sand and grit). This makes it unfit for burning and necessitates additional fuel for running these plants, thereby increasing their operational costs.
Despite the grim scenario, NITI Aayog, within the frame of the Swachh Bharat Mission, anticipates an output of 800 Mega Watt from WTE plants by 2018-19. That would be ten times the combined capacity of all existing WTE plants. The body also advocates establishing a Waste-to-Energy Corporation of India, which would build incineration plants via PPP models.
Understanding Waste-to-Energy Plants
A waste-to-energy or energy-from-waste plant uses municipal and industrial solid waste to generate electricity and/or heat for industrial processing. By burning waste at high temperatures, it creates steam that powers a turbine to produce electricity. This process not only generates electricity but also reduces the volume of waste destined for landfills by about 80%.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| WTE Plants in India since 1987 | 15 |
| Non-functioning WTE Plants | 7 |
| Expected MW from WTE Plants by 2018-19 | 800 |
| Volume Reduction of waste | 80% |
Benefits of WTE Plants
Besides energy generation, WTE plants can play a central role in managing municipal solid waste, a major contributor to severe water and air pollution. They provide clean, reliable energy from a renewable fuel source, and thereby reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which are responsible for substantial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Other offshoot benefits include opening up opportunities for dealing with other waste types, like sewage and industrial waste, and paving the way for Indian companies to explore international expansion, particularly into other Asian countries.
Challenges facing WTE Plants
However, WTE is still a novel concept in India. Most commercial technologies for urban wastes need to be imported, which jacks up the project costs as critical equipment must be procured from overseas. Lack of compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 by urban local bodies often results in unavailability of segregated municipal solid waste at plant sites. This lack of supply directly affects the viability of WTE plants.
The insufficiency of financial resources with Municipal Corporations/Urban Local Bodies, absence of supportive policy guidelines from State Governments, and public outcry against the environmental pollution caused by WTE plants add further complexity to the issue.
Strategies for a Sustainable WTE Future
Given the rising concern over climate change and the growing population, it is crucial to optimise the use of WTE plants in a sustainable manner. Urban local bodies (ULBs) should invest in formulating time-bound action plans for waste management as per the Solid Waste Management (SWM) rules, 2016.
A sustainable strategy should incorporate elements of waste hierarchy such as refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. Extra emphasis on segregation at source, spreading awareness, and adopting decentralised technologies can transform the effectiveness of WTE plants and align them with the green initiatives outlined in Article 51 A(g) of the Indian Constitution.
