BRIDGETOWN-A waste-to-energy facility expected to process approximately 350 tonnes of solid waste a day, and provide between ten and 14 megawatts of electricity is on the cards for Barbados. This was announced by Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr Denis Lowe, who said that Cabinet had recently approved Bds$377 million for the creation of a mangrove pond green energy complex.
Along with the waste-to-energy facility, this complex will include a solar power facility, a wind energy facility, the mangrove pond beautification programme, the construction of a new mechanical maintenance facility, and the landfill gas management system.
Lowe said the complex formed part of Government's efforts to develop a comprehensive programme to manage solid waste disposal and create energy options for the country. "What we are also going to be doing in that package of services is to decommission cells one, two and three [at the landfill], and commission the new cell four towards the end of June," he said.
The projects listed under the programme are expected to assist with the development of the infrastructure that is necessary for achieving sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness in the execution of solid waste management in Barbados. The installation of a landfill gas management system is designed to capture the greenhouse gases that can be quantified and sold as credits in carbon trading markets.
Such a project would also allow Barbados to be a leader in the region in terms of selling its carbon credits.
Caribbean360