The largest renewable energy power plant in Malaysia, with a capacity of 12 megawatts (MW), has begun operations at Bukit Tagar Enviro Park (BTEP), Hulu Selangor, Selangor.
The trash-to-energy (WtE) facility is one approach for processing solid trash while producing fresh renewable energy.
A total of 339 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy can be produced by BTEP from methane gas produced by solid waste at the landfill.
According to Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Local Government Development, BTEP is Malaysia’s biggest landfill gas power plant.
“This energy production can reduce 2.7 million tonnes of carbon under the Clean Development Mechanism, equivalent to planting 43.6 million trees over ten years, reducing the consumption of 296 million litres of petrol and reducing 570,000 driven vehicles in a year,” he said in a statement.
To ensure a more sustainable solid waste management system in Malaysia, the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) and Berjaya Enviro Parks Sdn Bhd (BEPSB) have launched the BTEP initiative.
According to Nga, the project is in keeping with the nation’s target of having 40 percent of the nation’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2035, with solid waste being one of those sources via WtE technology.
He continued by stating that the government’s policy through KPKT to establish at least one WtE-concept solid waste management facility in each state of Malaysia is also in accordance with the 12 MW renewable energy power plant.
To ensure the preservation of the environment for future generations, new efforts relating to the adoption of the circular economy, technology empowerment, WtE development, and solid waste management facilities will continue to be implemented.