‘Waste-to-energy plants are efficient, can form part of urban societies’ - Environment Minister downplays incinerator concerns
Waste-to-energy plants are so efficient in this day and age that they can be located in the centre of communities, Environment, Climate Change and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia told The Malta Independent.
Last week, Flimkien għal-Ambjent Aħjar, ADPD and residents from Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq had submitted their objections to the Magħtab incinerator in response to the Environment Impact Assessment on the project, which is currently out for public consultation. Many of the Baħar Iċ-Ċagħaq, Magħtab and even Naxxar residents are concerned about the harmful emissions which the incinerator will emit, such as chemicals including harmful nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide. Whilst the Environmental Impact Studies stated that the amounts released will be kept within the EU limits, residents and the general public are still worried.
The development of the waste-to-energy plant has received criticism from the public and NGOs, many calling for bolder waste reduction strategies to be implemented instead of just building the incinerator.
This newsroom spoke to the Environment Minister regarding the public’s concerns.
“There are two main concerns when it comes to the incinerator: the emissions and the other being the aesthetics of the plant. On the latter, the tender not only focuses on finding the company with the best mechanisms, but also focuses on the design of the project.”
On the point of emissions, Farrugia explained that Malta can look at examples of other waste-to-energy plants abroad, mentioning two in Vienna and Copenhagen.
“In the coming weeks, I will be travelling to Vienna to discuss waste-to-energy plants with the country’s Environment Minister. There, Vienna’s incinerator is also a museum, which attracts a number of tourists and is also situated back-to-back with a university campus.”
He also mentioned that in Copenhagen, the incinerator includes a rooftop ski-slope and forms part of a ski-resort.
“Today they (waste-toenergy plants) are so efficient that they are found in the centre of communities.”
He stressed the importance for Malta to learn from these countries and adapt. “It is important we learn from these plants, and because we will have more advanced technology, we will be more advanced. We look forward to achieving our aims and move away from landfills.”
Farrugia said that the plant will be running by 2024, and by then Malta will have an advanced waste-to-energy plant which will remove all the waste dumped in landfills and transform it into a resource, whilst also reaching the island’s aims in terms of recycling and waste management.
“Malta has its own environmental and recycling aims, which we will reach. Part of this holistic plan includes the waste-to-energy plant,” said Farrugia. He noted that both political parties agree that there needs to be a waste-toenergy plant and that this was included in both political parties’ manifestos.
“Now is the time to stop talking and act. That is why we launched the tendering process.”
Recently, WasteServ announced that three firms and consortia have been shortlisted to design, build, and operate the ECOHIVE Waste-to-Energy Plant.
FCCMA-Hitachi JV Malta, Urbaser-Terna and Consortium Suez - Tecnimont - Termomeccanica are the three shortlisted bidders of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for the plant.