SHAH ALAM, Sept 6 – The State Government has been urged to focus more on exploring waste-to-energy (WTE) technology as a modern and sustainable approach to addressing waste management issues in Selangor.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj expressed this view after visiting Amager Bakke or CopenHill, a waste-based thermal and electrical power plant in Copenhagen, Denmark recently.
The Selangor Royal Office in a Facebook post said His Majesty was impressed by the concept of developing Amager Bakke which not only manages waste and generates energy, but also provides recreational space for the use of the local community.
“In this regard, His Majesty hopes that the state government will focus more seriously on exploring waste-to-energy technology and examine the best methods suitable for implementation by taking into account aspects of safety, cost, pollution control and the well-being of the people,” the statement said.
During the unofficial visit, His Majesty was accompanied by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the United Plantations Berhad (UP) chief executive officer Dato’ Carl Bek-Nielsen.
Amager Bakke is capable of processing approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste per year to produce electricity and district heating that supplies the needs of tens of thousands of homes in Copenhagen.
The plant is also equipped with a flue gas treatment system to reduce pollutant emissions from the combustion process, in addition to the development of carbon capture technology, which continues to receive attention to address carbon dioxide emissions.
His Majesty was also attracted by the plant's approach that reduces dependence on landfill waste disposal methods, thus helping to reduce the risk of leachate pollution and odor problems.
The concept also incorporates recreational functions when the roof and surrounding areas of the plant are developed with public facilities such as year-round ski slopes, hiking trails and rock climbing walls.
His Majesty also stressed the importance of the state to continue updating its knowledge, expertise and latest technological developments in the fields of waste management and renewable energy.
“According to His Majesty, this step is important to enable Selangor to adopt modern, sustainable and responsible solutions for the benefit of future generations,” the statement said.
Selangor previously made history when the state’s first WTE plant and the largest in Southeast Asia, Jeram 1, officially began operating on May 12.
The plant is capable of managing up to 1,500 tonnes of solid waste per day in addition to generating electricity, thus becoming one of the State Government’s measures to reduce dependence on conventional waste disposal methods.
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari previously said the operation of Jeram 1 proved the state government’s commitment to strengthening sustainable waste management through the use of modern technology.
