Ghabawi landfill turns waste into bio-gas

AMMAN — Ghabawi landfill project has been generating electricity since the end of May by converting waste into bio-gas, according to an official at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM).

The “non-hazardous” Ghabawi landfill, located some 25km east of Amman, was established in 2003 and is expected to operate until 2035, adhering to all European safety regulations on the use of tanks specifically built for energy-generating purposes, Ameen Saraireh, Bio-gas projects manager at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) told the Jordan Times on Wednesday.

The landfill intakes 55 per cent of the country’s daily waste from 45 GAM machineries and dozens of garbage trucks from Rusaifa and Zarqa, which bring in an average of 4,300 tonnes of waste, Saraireh said, adding that it also receives waste from Amman.

The project manager said that bio-gas is produced from biomass through several chemical reactions and anaerobic decomposition processes, with the appropriate temperatures and humidity.

“We focus on health and environment, through limiting harmful gases,” he said.

The waste-to-energy project aims to optimise waste treatment by producing bio-methane and valuable fertilisers. It also aims to reduce greenhouse gases, Saraireh noted.  

The project will span 50 years, during which the 9 fuel cells will “significantly increase” electrical efficiency, Saraireh said, noting that each cell covers an area of 150-200 dunums and is 11 to 12 metres deep.

“The last cell will be used in 2035. After that, we will apply our closure plan which involves several procedures and strict regulations,” he added.