Western Australia EPA Recommends Approval of WTE Project

New Energy Corp., Pilbara, Australia, has welcomed the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) recommendation to approve the company's Port Hedland Waste-to-Energy project.

New Energy says the project is an Australian first, and will convert about 100,000 metric tons of waste per year into a clean and renewable energy source.

At full capacity, the Port Hedland Waste-to-Energy Project, which uses technology developed in Western Australia, could produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 21,000 homes in Pilbara, the company adds.

The EPA has recommended the project be approved by the Western Australia Minister for Environment after it was considered at the highest level of assessment through a Public Environmental Review (PER).

EPA’s decision is open to public appeal for a two-week period before the Minister makes a final determination on the project.

New Energy Chairman Enzo Gullotti says a comprehensive PER submission, supported by community consultation, had contributed to the EPA's decision, which was a significant milestone for the company.

"We are passionate about delivering our waste to energy solution and providing a world class environmental outcome for the Pilbara," Gullotti says. "The delivery of this project will ensure that recycling initiatives can be realized on a large scale, landfill diversion rates will be among the highest in Western Australia and clean renewable power generation is established."

David Sneddon, New Energy’s CEO, says Port Hedland was selected due to the pressure on the waste management and power generation infrastructure in the region, and to play a key role in assisting to deliver the State Government's "Pilbara Cities" vision.

"In order to achieve the state Government's objective of building the population of Karratha and Port Hedland into cities of 50,000 people, sustainable waste and power generation infrastructure is critical," Sneddon says. "New Energy's solution is well placed to assist the Pilbara in keeping pace with its unprecedented growth."

So far in 2013 New Energy has submitted a PER for a proposed facility in Rockingham, Australia; entered into Memorandums of Understanding to develop similar-sized projects in Victoria and New South Wales; and continued the company’s international expansion plans.