ADB approves $73 million loan to develop waste-to-energy plant in Maldives

• 3 years ago (2020-08-13)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Gas 371

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $73.39 million concessional loan and grant to the Government of Maldives to develop a waste treatment facility using waste-to-energy (WTE) technology and disposal infrastructure for the Greater Malé region and neighbouring outer islands.

Greater Malé and its neighbouring 32 outer islands – which host 86 tourist resorts – suffer from environmental pollution due to inadequate collection and haphazard disposal of solid waste. Over 830 tons per day (tpd) of solid waste are generated in the area and dumped or burned at a 10-hectare dump site on Thilafushi island. Established in 1992, the site has no pollution control measures, and is an environmental hazard threatening fisheries and tourism.

The project will establish a WTE plant with two treatment lines of 250 tpd capacity each, capable of generating a total output of 8 MW. It will have an air pollution control system and a landfill for safe disposal of air pollution control residues and bottom ash.

The project will also strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to supervise WTE operations, enhance O&M cost recovery, and improve public awareness on sustainable waste management practices.

The total cost of the project is $151.13 million. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank plans to also provide a $40 million loan. The Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism will provide a $10 million grant to finance expenditures related to WTE design and construction, contingencies, and consulting services for the certification of greenhouse gas emission reduction from the WTE plant. ADB is providing a $500 000 grant for the institutional capacity strengthening of MOE and EPA. The Government of Maldives will contribute $27.74 million to the project.