OREANDA-NEWS. March 25, 2008. Over the past two years, Iru Power Plant has been developing a new project for the cogeneration block of heat and power, in the framework of which, among other preparatory works, a thorough environmental assessment and a feasibility study approved by Harjumaa Environmental Authority have been conducted. In December of last year, the Supervisory Board of the company decided to announce an international procurement for finding a builder for a heat and power cogeneration block based on waste incineration.

By the deadline, 4 qualifying tenders had been received from an internationally known company, with whom cooperation will continue for finding the final builder.

“The 19 MW electrical capacity and 50 MW heat capacity cogeneration blocks to be established merge two major fields from the viewpoint of sustainable development – environment protection and the efficient cogeneration of heat and power,” said Toomas Niinemae, Director of Iru Power Plant, explaining the background of the waste incineration technology.

The recycling of unsorted non-hazardous and municipal waste for energy production allows for the reduction of imported natural gas by approximately 60 million m3 and decreases the pressure to raise heat energy prices due to the increase in fuel prices in Tallinn and Maardu.

According to him, waste incineration allows to significantly decrease the need to invest in the field of waste handling by local governments and waste handlers.

Upon establishment of a cogeneration plant, the best possible technology successfully operated in many leading EU countries will be adopted. In the European Union, energy is generated from unsorted non-hazardous and municipal waste in about 400 plants.

OU Iru Elektrijaam is a heat and power cogeneration plant that has been operating in the Eesti Energia group since 1978. The plant supplies the inhabitants of Tallinn Old Town, City Centre, Lasnamae and Maardu with heat energy through the heat networks rented by Tallinna Kute from AS Tallinna Soojus which is owned 100% by the City of Tallinn. Electric power is sold through the electric power system OU Pohivork.