Canadian-based firm to construct waste-to-energy plant in Lapu-Lapu

Trade Commissioner Yvette Buendia (right) and Cora dela Cruz of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CCCP) lead representatives of chamber members during a meeting with local businessmen tackling business opportunities in Canada and the Philippines. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

A Vancouver-based group will invest US $20 million to build a waste-to-energy facility in Lapu-Lapu City.

The project is the first renewable energy venture investment of the Aquilini Mactan Renewable Energy Inc. (AMREI) in Asia.

The first facility was supposed to open in Luzon, but the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) requested to locate first and service the firms in Mactan, said Jesus Jayme, Amrei president, during the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) signing with the DENR Environmental Management Bureau-VII last Tuesday.

The 1.2 hectare waste-to- energy facility will be located inside the Cebu Light Industrial Park in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Jayme said the construction of the facility will begin next week.

“By the first quarter of 2015, we will be operating and the benefits with the power, waste solution and employment can start,” said Jayme.

The facility will use a Thermal Oxidizer Process System (TOPS) with its three chambers able to process 75 tons of waste per day.

The project will cater to the toxic, hazardous and industrial waste generated by the more than 165 locators based in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ).

Amrei is under the Aquilini Investment Group, the largest Canadian investment corporation with ventures in agriculture, real estate development, home building, sports and entertainment.

The company also plans to accommodate at least 10 percent of the solid waste generated by the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue and surrounding municipalities in Metro Cebu, including hospital wastes.