BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jul. 24
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources is planning to hold the first auction among investors for the construction of Waste to Energy plant next year, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev said, Trend reports with reference to the press office of Kazakhstan’s prime minister.
Mirzagaliyev made the statement during a press conference on ministry’s operational results in 1H2019.
Mirzagaliyev said that the ministry has carried out certain work on the legislative introduction of the Waste to Energy.
“We have a very low share of waste recycling on average throughout the country, only 15 percent. Whereas in European countries this figure is two times higher — an average of 30 percent. According to the Green Economy Concept, this figure must be increased to 40 percent by 2030,” Mirzagaliyev said.
However, current tariffs for garbage collection in Kazakhstan are low and do not take into account the costs of processing and disposal of solid household waste. Therefore, it is not profitable for private investors to enter this industry.
In his words, the Waste to Energy technology can be of interest to private investors.
“Next year we plan to hold the first auctions among investors for the construction of such a plant. Whoever presents the lowest cost of electricity will win the auction. The corresponding bill has already been prepared and approved by the Parliament’s Majilis. The Senate of the Parliament is to consider the bill in autumn,” he said.
He added that the bill provides that these incineration plants will operate in accordance with the requirements equivalent to the On Industrial Emissions European Directive.
“We plan to launch such factories in a pilot mode in six Kazakh cities: Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, Nur-Sultan, Taraz and Shymkent. Work with potential investors has already begun. Out ministry is now actively working on this issue with the akimats (administrative centers) on the availability of land plots, infrastructure and guaranteed waste loading,” Mirzagaliyev said.
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