Morocco will build a $1.5 billion waste to energy plant in Casablanca

The consortium, led by Swiss-Japanese Kanadevia Inova, plans to begin constructing a $1.5billion waste-to energy plant in Casablanca before the year's end. Full operations are expected by mid-2030.

The facility in Morocco's largest city is the second in Africa of its kind. It aims to reduce methane emissions, as well as other environmental impacts caused by the Mediouna landfill. This is the biggest in the country.

On Monday, waste management company Kanadevia Inova signed a contract with its partners. The agreement was awarded by the city of Casablanca.

The consortium comprises Moroccan energy company Nareva, and Japan's Itochu.

Kanadevia?Inova stated that the plant, once operational, will process around 1.5 million metric tonnes of waste annually and generate 115 megawatts from a mixture of waste, landfill gas and solar power. This is enough to supply nearly one million people.

Environmental scientists, climate activists and local community groups are among those who oppose such plants. They claim that they undermine recycling efforts and emit greenhouse gases and particulate matter as many of these plants rely on incineration.

Bruno-Frederic Baudouin, Chief executive of Kanadevia Inova, said that construction in Casablanca will begin as soon as debt and equity funding is fully secured in the fourth quarter this year.

He said the plant would be completed in 3.5 years by Moroccan construction firm Somagec. However, waste treatment and electricity generation could start six to ten months before completion.

Baudouin stated that the consortium had?also secured a power purchase contract with ONEE, the state-owned electric utility. They would also seek financing through Moroccan lenders.

He said, "The debt?will be all local."

Mediouna, a landfill located on the outskirts of the City, has been a source of pollution and foul odours for many years. Decomposing waste releases methane as well as other greenhouse gases.

Baudouin stated that the new plant would be able to?reduce greenhouse gases by an amount equal to around 20% of Switzerland’s annual emissions.

He said, "It would be like taking 300,000.00 cars off the road." (Reporting and editing by Alexander Dziadosz, Hugh Lawson, and Ahmed El Jechtimi)

(source: Reuters)