India can generate 65 GW energy annually from waste, say experts
India can utilise the huge amount of waste generated throughout the country to produce 65 GW of electricity per annum, which can grow to 165 GW by 2030 and 436 GW by 2050, according to experts. India generates 65 million tonnes of waste every year, which is estimated to go up to 165 million tonnes by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050 as per a white paper prepared at a two-day workshop of waste management experts held recently.
About 75-80 per cent of the municipal waste gets collected and out of this only 22 to 28 per cent is processed and treated, the document noted. During the workshop, experts from International Climate Change and Sustainability Action Foundation, IIT, ISM Dhanbad, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and industries came together to discuss the way forward to deal with the issue of mounting waste dumping sites.
India has 3,159 active waste dump sites accounting for about 20 per cent of the country's methane emissions, said the white paper which also provides for creating opportunities for recycling, waste-to-energy conversion, and the creation of green jobs. According to the paper, one tonne of waste is enough for generating one Kwh of electricity.
However, the actual output depends upon the quality of the waste. «We must learn to re-cycle, reduce and re-use the waste… Efforts are needed to compare capabilities, discuss challenges and review emerging technologies for monitoring methane and delineate an action plan for sector specific efforts which india can implement with a specific timeline.
These efforts will assist to capture and profitably use methane emissions,» said J S Sharma, head, International Centre for Climate and Sustainability Action (ICCSA) Foundation. The workshop 'Methane
. Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
