EKURHULENI – In an effort to explore alternative forms of energy production and reduce solid waste, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) is using a Germiston dumping site as fodder for electricity production.
The Simmer and Jack landfill site possesses a commissioned biomass power plant used by the EMM to generate electrical energy through rotting waste. Waste is used to create methane gas which is incinerated to generate electrical energy. The facility currently produces one megawatt of power which is transmitted to the Wychwood Substation in Germiston.
The Metro has stated that it is interested in expanding the Simmer and Jack clean energy initiative. As part of its future plans to generate its own clean energy through alternative resources, EMM plans to duplicate this biomass power plant to generate two mega watts of power in other landfills sites in Ekurhuleni.
The project, still in its planning stages, is estimated to cost the municipality R22 million and may be implemented at the Rietfontein landfill site in Springs, the Weltevreden landfill site in Brakpan and the Rooikraal landfill site located in Boksburg.
