Sheladia, a US-based company would start a feasibility study for generation of up to 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solid waste in Karachi under a US-funded project. Funds for the feasibility study would be channeled through Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB). Sheladia and AEDB would formally sign an agreement by next week. Sheladia intends to start the $325,000 project shortly, which would be concluded in about five months.
The feasibility study includes the waste management study, defining the best options for converting it to energy and preparing required tender documents for the power plant. The plant will then be established under public-private partnership.
AEDB Chief Executive Officer Arif Alauddin, speaking after a briefing held in connection with the feasibility study, said all efforts would be made to get it completed on a fast track.
“It is really encouraging to note that an agreement between AEDB and Sheladia would be signed in a week’s time for conducting the study for producing 5-10MW through solid waste, which will not only expand electricity production sources, but would also make modest contribution to reducing the energy deficit facing the country,” said Richard O’Shea, representing the US Consulate General and USTDA.
AEDB’s CEO said that the feasibility study will be the first study of its kind and the project when implemented will become a model waste to energy project for other cities to follow. “Not only such a project will administer local waste, it will also add to power generation, lessen load-shedding and utilise renewable energy resources for increasing the security of energy supply.”
Karachi city Nazim, Syed Mustafa Kamal greeted AEDB’s proposal and assured AEDB of absolute support of his office to certify that the study is completed in time and is of the topmost eminence.
Mustafa Kamal stated that he considers Solid Waste Management as a vital activity for Karachi and has been functioning on fast tract on this for some time. He stated that he had set up 8 stations to ensure that the waste is collected in these centers during the day and is transported to the dumping site in the night, where the traffic is thin.
Karachi having a population of 18 million produces 10,000 tones of solid waste daily. Power generation through solid waste would not only make possible cut down the electricity shortage, but would also help in solving the issues of pollution.