KMA attracts investors' interest in waste-to-energy project

Twenty companies in the energy sector have expressed interest to invest in a waste-to-energy conversion project under the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). Chief Executive of KMA, Osei Assibey Antwi, in an interview with 3news.com, said all prospective investors are expected to submit detailed plans of investment, including proof of funding as well as terms and conditions under which the project will be implemented and managed. A decade ago, former President Kufour cut sod to commence the construction of a $1.35million waste-to-energy plant for the KMA. The project was under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement for the recycling of solid waste generated in the Kumasi metropolis and processed into electricity. The KMA was to supply 1000 tonnes of solid waste a day to the plant, which would be recycled to generate between 30-52 megawatts of electricity – representing about 30 percent power requirement of the city. The project however stalled when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost power in 2008. The Mayor of Kumasi wants the project resuscitated to help address the sanitation challenges and energy needs of the city. He is confident a deal with the investors will soon be finalized to begin the process of turning solid waste into electricity. The power generated would be sold to the Electricity Company of Ghana to supplement distribution to consumers. Mr. Assibey Antwi observed the issue of sanitation remains a major challenge for local authorities and continues to take larger part of the assembly’s revenue. He expects the waste-to-energy project to help create wealth from waste whilst opening up opportunities in the energy sector to create jobs. The mayor enjoined residents to be responsible in environmental sanitation. Story by Benjamin Aidoo |3news.com]]>