Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has announced a plan to establish an energy generation system in Thilafushi by burning 1,000 tonnes of waste daily.
Following an inspection of the waste-to-energy project's progress in Thilafushi, Minister Thoriq informed reporters that the current incinerator has a capacity of burning 500 tonnes of waste per day. He, however, highlighted that Thilafushi receives over 1,000 tonnes of waste per day, which necessitates a larger incinerator. He also said that Thilafushi needs to be expanded by 20 hectares of land, adding that the government will incorporate these initiatives into the ongoing project or commence them separately in the future.
Additionally, Minister Thoriq said that managing waste in a secure manner and providing a sustainable solution to the waste issue is among the administration's top priorities. He highlighted the significance of the waste-to-energy project, which will become the largest such waste management system in the country. He also said that the cost of the project is USD150 million, with an initial completion target set for August 2024. However, due to delays, the revised completion date has been pushed to 2025. He also expressed determination to explore avenues to expedite the project.
The waste-to-energy plant is being developed with the collaboration of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Japan Fund for Joint Credit Mechanism (JFJCM). The plant is expected to process 500 tonnes of waste to generate up to 8.5 megawatts of energy.