Port Hedland Waste to Energy Project on Way

A 100,000 tonne per year waste to energy project is a step closer with the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) recommending approval for the project.

New Energy Corporation wants to build the plant at Port Hedland to process waste that would otherwise go to landfill. At full capacity, the Port Hedland Waste to Energy Project could produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 21,000 homes in the Pilbara.

The project will use technology developed in Western Australia. The Entech Waste to Gas (WtGas RES) technology is a low temperature gasification process and is said to be commercially proven.

The EPA has recommended the project be approved by the WA Minister for Environment after it was considered at the highest level of assessment via a Public Environmental Review (PER). The decision of the EPA is now open to public appeal before the Minister makes a final determination on the project.

New Energy chairman Enzo Gullotti said the comprehensive PER submission was supported by successful community consultation and contributed to the EPA's decision.

"The delivery of this project will ensure that recycling initiatives can be realized on a large scale, landfill diversion rates will be among the highest in Western Australia, and clean renewable power generation is established," he said.

Chief executive David Sneddon said Port Hedland was selected due to the pressure on the waste management and power generation infrastructure in the region, and to play a key role in helping to deliver the State Government's "Pilbara Cities" vision.

"In order to achieve the State Government's objective of building the population of Karratha and Port Hedland into cities of 50,000 people, sustainable waste and power generation infrastructure is critical," he said. "New Energy's solution is well placed to assist the Pilbara in keeping pace with its unprecedented growth."

New Energy said it has had an exciting start to 2013. Developments to date include the submitting of the PER document for the proposed New Energy facility in Rockingham, entering into exclusive Memorandums of Understanding to develop similar sized projects in Victoria and New South Wales, and progressing New Energy's International expansion plans.

New Energy Corporation's vision is a world with zero landfill, where waste fuels a sustainable future.

"We are passionate about delivering our waste to energy solution and providing a world class environmental outcome for the Pilbara," said Mr Gullotti.

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