Michel Nkurunziza<\/b><\/p>\n
Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Valuation of properties in Musanze District has begun to pave the way for Rwanda\u2019s first large-scale waste-to-energy plant, a $80 million project (approx. Rwf115 billion)expected to turn garbage into electricity, create jobs, and cut pollution.<\/p>\n The project, to be implemented by Waste Power Plant Ltd (WPP), was discussed last week among project developers, Musanze District officials and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n Musanze district generates 84 tonnes of waste per day.<\/p>\n Alex Kanayoge, the Executive Secretary of Musanze District, has urged residents to effectively participate in the property valuation for expropriation.<\/p>\n He said Musanze is a rapidly expanding city, with easier access to municipal waste.<\/p>\n Below are 10 things about the project:<\/p>\n 1. Handling 400 tonnes of waste daily<\/b><\/p>\n The Kavumu waste-to-power plant will continuously incinerate 400 tonnes of waste per day.<\/p>\n The plant also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create employment opportunities.<\/p>\n A detailed feasibility study will be conducted by SMEC International Pty Ltd from Australia.<\/p>\n The goal is to incinerate waste from all major cities across the country, with the aim of protecting the environment and keeping cities clean.<\/p>\n \u201cThe project will also help clean polluted water from the Mpenge River to be used,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 2. 15 MW generation<\/b><\/p>\n The plant will generate 15 MW for the national electricity grid.<\/p>\n The plant\u2019s location, between other power stations such as Mukungwa I and II and Rwaza-Muko, will facilitate its connection to the national grid.<\/p>\n 3. How waste-to-power generation operates<\/b><\/p>\n Municipal solid waste (MSW) is collected from households, businesses, or industries.<\/p>\n Non-combustible and recyclable materials (like metals and glass) are separated. Organic or combustible materials are retained for energy generation. Waste is burned at high temperatures (850\u20131100\u00b0C) in a furnace.<\/p>\n Heat from combustion boils water to produce steam. The steam drives turbines that generate electricity. Bottom ash can be used in construction.<\/p>\n 4. Cost<\/b><\/p>\n The project is expected to be implemented within 30 months from now, with an estimated total cost of $80 million, said Eric Ntwali, the project coordinator.<\/p>\n Musanze District was selected due to its rapid expansion and central location among other major waste-producing cities, particularly Kigali and Rubavu, he said.<\/p>\n The investment recovery will be achieved in eight years with a $10 million annual cash flow.<\/p>\n 5. Sub-factory for ash processing<\/b><\/p>\n The plant will have a sub-factory for ash processing.<\/p>\n Ash from waste incineration will be processed into alkali-silica reaction-controlled cement, fertiliser for agricultural soil amendment, as well as other materials like tiles for road pavement.<\/p>\n 6. Project phases<\/b><\/p>\n The first phase of the project implementation will incinerate waste and generate 15 MW. The second phase will establish the sub-factory for ash processing, while the third phase will expand the plant\u2019s capacity.<\/p>\n 7. 45 households to be compensated<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cWe will expropriate 37 hectares and 45 houses in Kavumu Village,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 8. Over 700 people to get jobs<\/b><\/p>\n The project will create more than 500 permanent jobs and empower 200 temporary workers, Ntwari added.<\/p>\n 9. Training centre<\/b><\/p>\n The plant will establish a continental-level training centre to build capacity in renewable energy and waste-to-energy technologies.<\/p>\n \u201cCountries can send students to learn the technologies,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n 10. Selling carbon credits<\/b><\/p>\n He added that discussions with partners are under way to sell carbon credits on the carbon market.<\/p>\n Carbon markets are trading systems in which carbon credits (representing tonnes of reduced or avoided emissions) are bought and sold.<\/p>\n One carbon credit is a tradable unit with monetary value representing one metric tonne of carbon emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere.<\/p>\n Companies or individuals can use these markets to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing credits from entities or countries that reduce or remove emissions.<\/p>\n Alex Kanayoge, the Executive Secretary of Musanze District speaks to stakeholders during a consultative meeting. Courtesy<\/p>\n Stakeholders during the discussions about the project<\/p>\n\r\n