THE first required environmental approval has been given to a waste to energy plant in Kwinana this afternoon.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) signed off on its report to the State Environment Minister Albert Jacob today, paving the way for proponent Phoenix Energy to proceed to the next stage of development.
The plant, to be located on Lot 9500 Leath Road, would take in 400,000 tonnes per annum of municipal household waste and burn it to generate useable energy.
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READ NOWIf built it will be the first of its kind in Western Australia, however there are more than 400 similar plants across the world.
South Metropolitan MLC Phil Edman, who has backed the building of the plant, said he was pleased with today's announcement.
"It tackles the issue of waste disposal and energy supply in one high technology solution," Mr Edman said.
"This is the solution to waste management in our state. This environmental approval is a great advance and I look forward to seeing this plant up and running."
The fine ash that results from burning waste can reportedly be contained, collected and transformed into bricks to be used for construction.
The next step of the development requires Minister Jacob to give the project State approval, which is due at a later date.