Shimla set to utilise green waste for power generation

With an aim to reduce forest fires caused by green waste such as dry leaves, the Municipal Corporation, Shimla, is planning to use the waste in generating electricity. This will be done by bringing the trash to its waste-to-energy plant located in Bhariyal village. For this, the corporation is chalking out a scheme after which it will also discuss the same with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Surender Chauhan, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, said that over the year, it has been noticed that one of the main reasons behind forest fires during the summer is the dry leaves and branches in the jungles catching fire due to high temperature. “In order to find an effective way to utilise this green waste, the corporation is planning to collect the green waste from the forests areas of the town as well as its adjoining areas and then use it in generating electricity at the Bharyal plant,” he said.

“Not only will this initiative help in protecting the forests from wildfires, but it will also provide a source of earnings to villagers who will be engaged in the work of the collection of green waste,” he further added.

At present, as many as 90 tonnes of garbage is generated in the town on a daily basis. This is then sent to the waste-to-energy plant, which is being operated by Elephant Energy Private Limited. The garbage is converted into electricity at the plant. At present, both dry and wet waste are being processed at the plant.

Besides, the corporation will soon be establishing a state-of-the-art biomethanation plant at Bhariyal. The plant is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 12 crore and will convert 15 tonnes of wet waste collected from across the town into syngas (synthesis gas) daily.