Zurich-headquartered Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), a global player in providing technology solutions for waste-to-energy projects, has entered the Indian and neighbouring markets through a tie-up with Hyderabad-based Hyquip, which has interests in municipal solid waste disposal solutions.

HZI, formerly AE&E Inova, has been associated with over 450 waste-to-energy plants the world over and is now helping in the setting up of the world's largest such plant in China, involving 2,500 tonnes of solid waste to produce 40 MW of power.

HZI, through the exclusive tie-up with Hyquip, will be providing technology solutions to promoters of solid waste-based energy plants in India and Sri Lanka. “We are setting up two power plants of 8 MW each in Sri Lanka, which would be commissioned by December next year,” Mr Erich Vogler, Project Manager, of HZI, told newspersons here.

India produces some 1.40 lakh tonnes of municipal solid waste a day, which has the potential of generating over 46 million units, equivalent to an installed capacity of 200 MW. However, waste-based power projects are yet to take off in India due to various reasons, including tariff-related problems and proper technology for collection and combustion of the waste.

It is estimated that to produce 8 MW of power, such projects will require 580 tonnes of municipal garbage a day. “Waste-to-energy projects require an investment of Rs 10.5 crore to produce one MW of power, as against Rs 4 crore for thermal units and between Rs 4.5 crore and Rs 5 crore for biomass-based projects,” Mr K.B.K. Reddy, Managing Director of Hyquip, said.

Moreover, Indian municipal waste contains about 30 per cent of moisture, requiring higher degree of combustibility.

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