Frequently Asked Questions
The project will generate 28.9 MW and operate for 8,000 hours per annum. This is enough electricity to power 36,000 Perth homes. According to Australian legislation the biodegradable fraction of municipal and commercial waste is considered biomass, thus a renewable energy source. It is expected around 50% of the energy generated from the waste will be renewable.
After combustion, the volume of waste is reduced by 90%, leaving an inert ash containing metals. This ash called IBA weighs 15-20% of the original waste volume. The ERWTE project has invested $10m in an onsite IBA treatment plant. This state-of-the-art facility will recover metals from the ash and produce a clean recycled aggregate that can be used as a replacement to raw aggregates in local markets. The flue gas treatment process generates a small amount of residual waste that will be disposed of at an appropriately licensed landfill.
IBAA has been an accepted and widely used sustainable aggregate both in the UK and in Europe for many years. Over five million tonnes has been used as sub-base and capping material in numerous applications over that 10 year period. ERWTE is partnering with Curtin University to research the best IBAA reuse opportunities for local Perth markets