Bengaluru is making significant strides in sustainable waste management. The Bidadi Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Ramanagara district is at the forefront of this initiative, efficiently processing waste to produce clean energy.
Bengaluru’s Waste Conversion Strategy
Daily, Bengaluru generates approximately 6,000 tonnes of mixed waste. The Bidadi plant is now converting around 200 tonnes of segregated dry waste into electricity. This initiative aims to reduce the city’s reliance on landfills while promoting sustainability.
Electricity Generation and Household Impact
The Bidadi WTE plant produces about 11.5 megawatts of electricity daily. This amount is sufficient to supply power to nearly 25,000 homes, based on an average consumption of five units per household.
Facility Overview
- Location: Ramanagara district
- Area: 163 acres
- Cost: ₹314.7 crore
- Operational Since: June 2024
Developed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the plant operates under a Design, Finance, Construct, Operate and Transfer (DFCO&T) model. Funding comes from both KPCL and the Greater Bengaluru Authority (formerly BBMP).
Sustainable Practices and Waste Management
As waste segregation improves, the number of compactors transporting waste to landfills has decreased from 390 to 340 in just one month. This favorable trend indicates better management of waste.
Approximately 35% of Bengaluru’s garbage consists of plastic. High-grade plastics are recycled through dry waste centers, while low-grade plastics are processed at the Bidadi plant for energy recovery.
Impact Since Inception
Since its launch, the Bidadi facility has processed 1.68 lakh metric tonnes of waste. It has generated approximately 54.3 million units of electricity, showcasing the potential of waste management in energy production.
Future Prospects and Zero Waste Goals
Energy Minister KJ George heralded the Bidadi plant as a paradigm for sustainable urban management. He emphasized that the facility not only converts waste into clean energy but also addresses the city’s disposal challenges.
Additionally, the ash produced during the electricity generation process is earmarked for use in road construction, promoting resource recovery and a zero-waste objective.
Ultimately, the Bidadi Waste-to-Energy plant symbolizes Bengaluru’s commitment to transforming urban waste into valuable energy, marking a vital step towards achieving a cleaner and landfill-free city.
