Construction of $137 mln waste-to-energy plant begins in HCMC

Construction on the VND3.5 trillion ($137.2 million) Vietstar waste-to-energy plant, with processing capacity of 2,000 tons of waste per day, commenced on Wednesday in Ho Chi Minh City.

The construction marks a significant step in the city’s efforts to modernize waste treatment technologies.

The project, located in the Northwest Waste Treatment Complex in Cu Chi district, is being developed by VietStar JSC. The project will integrate technology for compost sorting and waste incineration to generate electricity. It is expected to be completed within 17 months, processing 2,000 tons of solid waste daily.

Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment, stated: "This is not just a waste management solution; it’s an important step forward in developing renewable energy and a circular economy."

Thang said once operational, the Vietstar plant will handle 45-50% of the city’s total household waste using modern technology. In addition to reducing pollution, the project will also generate energy for production and daily use.

The Vietstar plant received in-principle approval from the HCMC administration over five years ago, alongside another waste incineration project in Cu Chi, invested by Tam Sinh Nghia Investment Development JSC.

However, due to procedural delays, construction has only now begun. Meanwhile, construction on the Tam Sinh Nghia plant commenced in July 2024.

According to Thang, the development of waste-to-energy plants is a key part of HCMC's broader environmental strategy. This includes transitioning all waste treatment technologies to incineration for electricity generation by 2030, recycling organic waste into fertilizers and biofuels, and controlling water and air pollution.

Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, highlighted that one of the city's major challenges is environmental pollution, particularly as the area generates approximately 10,000 tons of domestic waste each day.

He emphasized that the city is working urgently to shift from traditional waste treatment to modern technologies that treat waste as a resource. The Vietstar waste-to-energy plant is a crucial part of this transition.

Currently, most domestic solid waste in HCMC is disposed of in landfills, which risks polluting nearby residential areas. The rest is treated through incineration, fertilizer production, and recycling. According to the city's goals, waste-to-energy technology will handle 100% of domestic waste by 2030.