Waste to Energy

Where Waste Becomes Infrastructure

In many countries and cities, waste is a growing liability. In Colombo, Aitken Spence Power by investing Rs 13.0 billion, turned the city’s waste into a national asset.

Through Western Power Company (Pvt) Limited, Aitken Spence Power owns and operates Sri Lanka’s first and only Waste-to-Energy facility. This 10 MW baseload power plant, located in Kerawalapitiya, primarily operates under a long-term agreement to support the disposal of municipal solid waste collected through the Colombo Municipal Council.

Every day, the plant processes approximately 700 metric tons of municipal solid waste, diverting it from landfills or open waste dumps, and converting it into reliable electricity for the national grid.

The numbers speak for themselves. Since commissioning (in December 2020):

• 379,700+ MWh generated
• 1 million+ tons of waste processed
• 800,000+ tons CO₂ emissions avoided

But its true value goes beyond energy. This integrated infrastructure solution delivers multiple results:

• Easing urban waste management challenges
• Reducing reliance on landfills and open dumping
• Lowering fossil fuel dependence
• Reducing carbon emissions
• Minimising health risks from unmanaged waste
• Improving urban environmental conditions

The Waste to Energy plant complements other waste disposal mechanisms such as composting and recycling. It further closes the loop, with by-products such as ash, safely treated and reused, supporting a circular economy.

This power plant is indeed a solution to a national problem, and a scalable model for rapidly growing cities.