Lanka to get first energy recovery project

Sri Lankas first energy recovery project valued at US$100 million will be completed by the end of next year, with the objective of solving the waste disposal problems in Colombo City and the suburbs. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Colombo Renewable Energy (Pvt) Ltd. to purchase renewable energy for a period of 20 years. This project is expected to produce 40 megawatts of clean renewable energy (synthetic gas) while reducing, and potentially eliminating the need for landfills and dumpsites in and around Colombo. The total solid waste generation from the Colombo Municipal Council area only is almost 1,500 tons per day while waste collection is around 650 tons per day. Colombo Renewable Energy (Pvt) Ltd. has signed a 20-year feed supply agreement with Burns Trading (Pvt) Ltd., by which Burns will supply the required quantity of refuse derived fuel (RDF) from its compost factory at Sedawatte and the Bloemendhal garbage dump site. (August 19, 2007)