The construction of the largest garbage power plant in west China, capable of generating 130 million kwh of electricity, has started in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

With an investment of 520 million yuan (US$65 million),the project will be able to process 1,600 tons garbage every day, equivalent to one third of the city's daily total, after its completion in two years.

The power plant is expected to meet the electricity consumption of 50,000 households, with 110 out of the 130 million kwh electricity generated being incorporated into the Chengdu power grid.

By the time the project is completed, the garbage will be collected by sanitation workers and sent to the power plant, where useful materials such as metal and plastic will be recycled, while the remaining will be leavened and dehydrated before it can be burned.

Heat produced from burning two tons of garbage equals that from one ton of coal, local authorities said.

The Chengdu city government has selected one out of six bidders, who has been given special permission for operation of the plant for 25 years. During that period, the city government will pay 71 yuan (US$8.6) to the company for every ton of treated garbage.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)