Generating energy from waste is a concept that is finally gaining traction in South Africa. SRK Consulting was appointed by Bio2Watt Energy Holdings (BEH) to be the independent environmental consultants to undertake the requisite environmental permitting processes for a new biogas plant near Pretoria for industry pioneers BEH.
According to Darryll Kilian, partner and principal environmental consultant at SRK Consulting, this innovative project brings benefits in terms of producing much-needed energy while reducing landfill requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. The BEH organic waste-to-energy biogas plant will be located on a 5 ha site at Sunderland Ridge, west of Centurion, and will generate baseload electricity for the national grid.
“The Sunderland Ridge biogas project is a great example of a project at the nexus of critical issues that face our society today, including how we manage our growing demand for energy, our increasing volumes of waste, and the reality of climate change – as well as food security,” said Kilian.
“Operating as an energy producer by generating both electricity and gas, this facility will help the province face its landfill constraints while cutting methane emissions and creating natural fertiliser to promote organic agriculture.”
The plant will process organic waste from the agriculture and food sectors to produce biogas, which will be converted into electricity for the national grid; the biogas will also be compressed and sold to an off take customer. The other product of the process is digestate – a quality fertiliser containing all nutrients and micronutrients necessary for modern farming.
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