LANDFILL GAS

MUNICIPAL WASTE AS A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

In 2011, approximately 59 million tons of general waste was landfilled in South Africa1. Landfill gas is created during the anaerobic
decomposition of organic substances in municipal solid waste. Depending upon the landfill design and its management, as well
as waste composition, compaction, moisture and several other factors, numerous sites are available in South Africa to collect
and utilise landfill gas as a renewable energy source for power generation.

HOW DOES POWER FROM LANDFILL GAS WORK?

Household waste, collected by municipalities, is disposed in a landfill. Microorganisms that live in organic materials such as food
wastes, paper or yard clippings cause these materials to decompose. This produces a landfill gas, typically comprised of roughly
60 percent methane and 40 percent carbon dioxide (or “CO2”). Methane gases are combustible and when harvested and used in
special gas fired engines that can be used to power an electric generator.

GAS-TO-ENERGY PROCESS
Gas Collection Wells
Exhausts
Flare

Gas Collection Line

Landfill Gas Blower Gas Engines Electric Generator

CREATING POWER FROM OUR WASTE

• The IRP 2010 foresaw only a small contribution of South Africa’s power supply in 2030 to
be produced from landfill gas (included with biomass, biogas and small hydro to deliver
125MW)
• Although municipal waste is abundantly available, adequate volumes of landfill gas can not
always be harvested and the technology costs to produce power remains comparatively
high. As solutions mature, more energy may be secured from this renewable energy source.
• The Minister of Energy has determined 25MW to be procured from landfill gas
• Only one landfill gas project with 18MW capacity, has successfully participated in the
Renewable energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme to date

1
Department of Environmental Affairs (2012). National Waste Information Baseline Report. Department of Environmental
Affairs, Pretoria, South Africa.
 TECHNOLOGY
STATS
FOR LANDFILL GASIPP PROJECTS
PARTICIPATING IN SOUTH
AFRICA’S REIPPPP

AVERAGE SIZE

18.00 MW
0.11
Mton EMISSION
SAVINGS

31 563 ANNUALLY

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS
POWERED ANNUALLY

105
GWh ENERGY THAT

1
WILL BE GENERATED
NUMBER OF ANNUALLY
PROJECTS

R0.29 BILLION
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN LANDFILL
GAS PROJECTS COMMITTED TO
DATE (30 JUNE 2015)

TECHNOLOGY PRICE TREND (R/kWh)

18.00 MW
MW PROCURED
R1.04

Reflects average price in Apr 2015 terms

BW1 BW2 BW3 BW3.5 BW4

BW - Bid Window REIPPPP - Renewable Enegry Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme

To find out more go to: www.ipp-projects.co.za