Marsa incinerator to generate its own power

The amount of fuel consumed by the Marsa incinerator will be reduced once the plant starts generating electricity from steam and the treatment of solvents.

Since the incinerator started operating a year ago, it has burnt about 5,000 tonnes of waste. To do that it has used up about €1 million worth of diesel to operate its high temperature furnace, much less than the original estimate of €2.5 million.

Wasterserv CEO Vince Magri said the fuel expense will soon be reduced even further as the plant starts generating its own electricity through a system that will convert steam generated during the incineration process into energy.

The system will be producing more energy than needed by the plant and the extra electricity will be exported through Enemalta's national grid, Mr Magri explained.

Moreover, within the next few weeks the plant will start treating solvents that can also be used to fuel the system.

This treatment will start once it is certified at which stage the incinerator will be completely handed over to WasteServ. So far, uncertified parts of the system still fall under the supplier's responsibility.

He said that 86 per cent of the waste treated at Marsa is from abattoirs and animal carcasses and waste brought in by about 500 farmers every month.

To improve energy efficiency, the carcasses are shredded before they are burnt while hospital chemical waste, also disposed of at Marsa, goes straight into the incinerator to avoid contamination. Gases generated during incineration are then processed and cleaned.

Resources Minister George Pullicino, who visited the incinerator yesterday, stressed that its emission levels fall within EU standards. Emissions are monitored by independent auditors and Mepa.

Emission readings can be viewed on www.wasteservmalta.com.