Singapore based energy, water and marine firm, Sembcorp has commenced construction of a new S$250 million ($198 million) waste to energy facility in Singapore.
The company said that once complete it will be its largest waste to energy facility in Singapore, and the first to use industrial and commercial waste to produce steam for use by nearby companies on Jurong Island.
Sembcorp said that the development marks a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of the Jurong Island petrochemical hub.
Located in the Sakra area of the island, the company added that the facility will offer an economical and environmentally friendly source of steam to serve the needs of companies in the vicinity.
The plant will be equipped with two boilers with a combined capacity of 140 tonnes of steam per hour. Compared to a coal-fired steam plant, the company claimed that it will produce around 50% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Once complete in early 2016 Sembcorp said that the facility will be able to supply a third of its customers’ steam needs in Singapore using environmentally-friendly alternative fuel.
In addition, the company said that the project will strengthen synergies between Sembcorp’s energy business and its solid waste management operations.
It is expected to process around 1000 tonnes of industrial and commercial waste collected by Sembcorp’s solid waste management operations l each day, which will not only generate energy, but reduce the company’s disposal costs.
Ng Meng Poh, Sembcorp’s Executive Vice President & Head, Utilities, said, “This new energy-from-waste plant demonstrates Sembcorp’s focus on offering the best solutions to our customers, as Jurong Island’s premier utilities supplier.
The facility will provide a reliable, economical supply of steam to serve our customers’ needs, while helping them to reduce their carbon footprint,” commented Ng Meng Poh, Sembcorp’s executive vice president & head of utilities.
“At the same time, this project will reduce disposal costs for our solid waste management operations and improve synergies between Sembcorp’s energy and solid waste management businesses,” he added.
