Malay waste-to-energy plant being fast-tracked

A waste-to-energy plant is expected to rise soon in the mainland of Malay, Aklan, and which many hopes would solve the increasing problems on waste not only in this resort island but also in the province of Aklan.

Malay Councilor Floribar Bautista, chairman of the  public works committee, said negotiations with the El Elyon-Orion Renewable Solutions Corp., a Vietnam-based company, are being fast-tracked.

The said company has been consistent with its proposal for several years already. It is, however, yet to be accommodated by the local government because of technicalities in the paper works.

“The council is now bent on giving authority to the local chief executive to enter into contracts with the said company. I hope the proceeding will be smooth,” Bautista said.

The company will be utilizing the 6-hectare lot in Barangay Kabulihan, he added.

“Under the proposed agreement, the El Elyon Orion will build and operate the plant free of charge to the local government. The counterpart of the local government, however, is the commitment of the 6  hectare availability,” Bautista explained.

It was learned that once operated, the power plant is also open to idea to accept wastes from the other 16 towns of Aklan.

For her part, El Elyon-Orion CEO Rossa Borres said the proposed project has already secured approval from the government.

“Our waste technology is of heterogeneous type, wherein it will utilized all kinds of wastes to be converted into energy,” Borres said during a meeting with the local council here.

The local government of Malay is expecting a demand of 50 megawatts  to 60 MW of electricity in ten years.