Waste-to-Energy: Scrap Aminbazar plant project

Environmental organisations yesterday urged the government to scrap the proposed Tk 5,745-crore North Dhaka 42.5-megawatt waste-to-energy (WtE) project in Aminbazar, alleging that it would impose a heavy financial burden, worsen air pollution, and undermine sustainable waste management.

They described the project as one of the country’s most expensive and environmentally damaging power initiatives.

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) and the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) shared the findings at a press conference at a Dhaka restaurant.

In the keynote paper, Hasan Mehedi, chief executive of CLEAN, said at 85 percent of its capacity, the plant would generate around 316.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, at the purchase rate of Tk 26.79 per unit.

“If the plant utilisation declines, the tariff could rise to between Tk 47-75 per unit,” he added.

Also, the project agreement requires DNCC to supply 3,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily. If DNCC fails to deliver the agreed amount, it would have to pay US$50 per tonne of waste shortfall.

The speakers argued that as DNCC currently generates around 2,750 tonnes of waste daily, the arrangement could create financial incentives to generate more waste instead of promoting recycling and waste reduction.

They also expressed concern over environmental and health impacts, claiming the plant would emit about 4,11,392 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, alongside ash, ultrafine particulates and toxic pollutants, including heavy metals, dioxins and furans, which pose serious health risks.

The keynote paper added that the same investment could install around 425MW of solar power capable of generating nearly 688 million units of electricity annually without fuel costs or harmful emissions.

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Waste-to-Energy: Scrap Aminbazar plant project