The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced plans to establish a solid waste to steam plant at the Pirana dumping site in Ahmedabad, aiming to enhance solid waste management practices. Operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the plant, with a capacity of 300 tonnes per day, will be constructed by Surat-based Steamhouse India on a 5-acre plot.
With Ahmedabad generating approximately 4,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, the move towards sustainable waste management is imperative to mitigate environmental pollution and health risks associated with landfill decomposition. According to an AMC spokesperson, the initiative seeks to combat harmful greenhouse gas emissions and the adverse effects of toxic substances on nearby communities.
Employing Waste to Steam (WTS) technology, the project will adopt Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to establish a circular economy. This technology, originating from Germany and making its debut in India, promises reduced environmental impact, operational efficiency, and resource optimization. Moreover, the project aims for cost-effectiveness, projecting a 70 percent lower capital expenditure compared to traditional waste-to-energy plants, as per the AMC.
Vishal S Budhia, CMD of Steamhouse, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “This initiative shifts the paradigm from waste to electricity to waste to steam, showcasing substantial benefits such as reduced capital expenditure, savings on electricity costs, diminished coal imports, and mitigation of air pollution. It is poised to set a new standard for waste management practices in India.”