Waste to Energy Heads of Agreement signing
Explore Councils by state
The City of Ballarat has today signed a very significant Waste to Energy Heads of Agreement with global firm, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB).
The agreement allows MRCB to undertake a due diligence study leading to a business case for a Victorian first, $300 million municipal Waste to Energy plant in the Ballarat West Employment Zone.
MRCB’s technology partner, Babcock and Wilcox Volund, has already built Waste to Energy plants all over the world, including the United States, China, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Malaysia and Korea.
The City of Ballarat has been planning for a Waste to Energy plant for five years, which would divert 60 per cent of the city’s waste into an affordable and secure energy source for industry, reduce carbon emissions and decrease the current regional landfill’s environmental impacts.
Currently, 30,000 tonnes of waste are deposited in the landfill each year, with waste disposal costing more than $18 million per year, with landfill a significant part of this cost.
A Waste to Energy plant would provide a long-term waste management solution not only for Ballarat but also the Western region, with the proposed facility capable of processing large volumes of municipal waste and providing energy not achievable through any other technology while also producing no adverse emissions.
It is also estimated a Waste to Energy plant would increase the size of Ballarat’s economy by $202 million through building and flow-on effects, with about 420 jobs created during construction. It would also generate 120 ongoing jobs.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh said the Western region was already a leader in renewable energy production, particularly wind energy, but this announcement would further enhance its standing.
“Signing this Heads of Agreement means we are one significant step closer to a Waste to Energy plant in Ballarat that would be a regional solution to our waste reduction issues while providing an affordable and reliable energy source.”
“It would also be a driving force in attracting industries and employment to BWEZ by delivering a uniquely competitive advantage.”
“We will also maintain our commitment to minimising waste through continual education about re-use and recycling.”
MRCB’s Group Managing Director Imran Salim arrived from Kuala Lumpur to witness the Heads of Agreement signing by Ravi Krishnan, CEO of MRCB International.
“MRCB is delighted to be in Ballarat and looks forward to working closely with the City of Ballarat and the wider community on providing a world class facility,” Mr Salim said.
Who is MRCB
Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad is a government linked company listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
Their technology partner, Babcock and Wilcox Volund, was founded in 1898 and built their first Waste to Energy plant in 1931.
What is BWEZ
The Ballarat West Employment Zone is a staged development of 438 hectares of land adjacent to the Ballarat Airport as a high-quality industrial estate for a range of manufacturing, agribusiness, construction, freight and logistics, and research and development uses. It will include a freight hub, access for high-productivity freight vehicles and top-quality infrastructure.