Around 70 thousand tons of biodegradable waste may be
annually processed in new power plant with composting part which started its
commercial operation in the region of Zvolen. Its annual production of electricity should be around 51 thousand MWh
and it employs around 30 people.
The costs of construction of the complete power plant were
more than € 20 million.
The power plant owner and operator - Kompala PLC - claims it is the first of
its kind in Slovakia. The electricity is produced from burning certified
biofuel called Energokompost which is recovered from biodegradable waste
containing wood chips, straw and sediments from neighboring sewage treatment
plant.
Environmental but noisy …
Unique way of electricity production should be environmentally
friendly and help to reduce CO2 emissions in comparison to electricity production
from other conventional sources.
Test phase of operation was interrupted in spring due to complaint
against excessive noise filed by local inhabitants of Vlkanova village in whose
vicinity the plant is located. Measurements performed by regional authority for
public health confirmed the level is above permitted level and ordered to stop
the testing unless the noise is decreased. The investor installed a silencer
and in July the plant passed final inspection.
Kompala company also plans to build another 6 meters high
acoustic wall. In press statement they also pointed out that the project is supported by well-known local businessman and current president of Slovak Football Association.
… and stinky
However, another problem perceived by local people is bad smell and
ashes. On Thursday (August 23) the mayor of Vlkanova has sent another complaint
to four environmental authorities about excessive bad odor, especially in hot
weather. He explained that trucks even with foreign license plates are
transporting sediments to the company and the Energokompost is not made from
local waste as previously declared.
There is also a fear that some shipments come from
industrial sewage treatment plants and might contain heavy metals.
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