24 November 2015
DOHA: Qatar has invested a whopping QR4bn ($1.09bn) on a massive plant to treat mixed solid domestic waste, which also produces 50 mega watt (MW) of clean energy.
The Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC) located near Messaieed supplies the state electricity network with 42MW of electricity and uses the remaining eight MW to run the centre.
With an annual expenditure of around QR100m, Qatar has allocated QR2bn for running the centre for 20 years, while another QR2bn has been spent on the design and establishment of DSWMC.
At least 95 percent of domestic waste is recycled here to produce power, solid and liquid organic fertilizers and only five percent goes for landfill in the form of ash, said Safar Mubarak Al Shafi, the Director of the Waste Treatment Centre.
Al Shafi is also Director of General Cleanness Project and Director of Mechanical Equipment Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning since the three are integrated. Ash goes to landfill after being drained of impurities to ensure it does not affect the underground water and environment, Al Shafi said.
The centre is composed of five sections, including areas for waste segregation, landfill, a compost area, an area for construction and demolition materials, and staff accommodation.
The idea to set up a waste management plant was mooted in the year 2000 to help fulfil Qatar's commitment to protecting environment and implementing international agreements ratified by the country.
In 2001, a committee was formed with members drawn from all bodies concerned to set up a plan and explore latest developments and experiences in this regard.
Al Shafi said that the committee visited several counties like Singapore, Japan and Australia, among others, to share their experiences and the efforts resulted in inviting international companies to bid in a tender and finally a contract was signed with the Singaporean company, Keppel Seghers.
DOHA: Qatar has invested a whopping QR4bn ($1.09bn) on a massive plant to treat mixed solid domestic waste, which also produces 50 mega watt (MW) of clean energy.
The Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC) located near Messaieed supplies the state electricity network with 42MW of electricity and uses the remaining eight MW to run the centre.
With an annual expenditure of around QR100m, Qatar has allocated QR2bn for running the centre for 20 years, while another QR2bn has been spent on the design and establishment of DSWMC.
At least 95 percent of domestic waste is recycled here to produce power, solid and liquid organic fertilizers and only five percent goes for landfill in the form of ash, said Safar Mubarak Al Shafi, the Director of the Waste Treatment Centre.
Al Shafi is also Director of General Cleanness Project and Director of Mechanical Equipment Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning since the three are integrated. Ash goes to landfill after being drained of impurities to ensure it does not affect the underground water and environment, Al Shafi said.
The centre is composed of five sections, including areas for waste segregation, landfill, a compost area, an area for construction and demolition materials, and staff accommodation.
The idea to set up a waste management plant was mooted in the year 2000 to help fulfil Qatar's commitment to protecting environment and implementing international agreements ratified by the country.
In 2001, a committee was formed with members drawn from all bodies concerned to set up a plan and explore latest developments and experiences in this regard.
Al Shafi said that the committee visited several counties like Singapore, Japan and Australia, among others, to share their experiences and the efforts resulted in inviting international companies to bid in a tender and finally a contract was signed with the Singaporean company, Keppel Seghers.
© The Peninsula 2015
