ENVIRONMENTAL approval could open the way for the first Australian waste-to-energy incinerator to be operating in Rockingham by late 2014.
New Energy Corporation representatives met City of Rockingham officials last week to discuss the potential of a $200 million 15-megawatt plant being built in Office Road, near the East Rockingham cemetery.
The project, the second to be considered for the region, would handle about 130,000 tonnes of waste per year – enough to power 15,000 homes.
Phoenix Energy wants to build a $400 million 80-megawatt incinerator in the Kwinana Industrial Area, aiming to process up to double the waste of the Rockingham plant.
New Energy Corporation’s plans were referred recently to the Environmental Protection Authority for assessment.
Corporation spokeswoman Pippa Hepburn said the plant would target only waste destined for landfill.
“That means absolutely nothing else can be done to the waste, in terms of recycle or reuse options,” she told a City planning committee meeting on October 19.
“We are confident our emission levels will fall far below the maximum emissions allowed.”
Spokesman Jason Pugh said the 10ha Office Road site was ideal because of its distance from residents.
Both plants would accept industrial and household waste, which would be incinerated at 600-875C temperatures, with the heat generated creating steam energy. The remaining ash would be sent to landfill.
A materials recovery facility included in the New Energy proposal is expected to creat 30 full-time jobs.
Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the council had not yet received an application for the waste-to-energy plant and a site and land use assessment would only be considered after a formal development application was received.
He said the council would now wait for environmental assessment to begin.