The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has secured a R550 million grant from Dutch development finance institution Invest International to advance Johannesburg’s Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) project.
The AWTT will process about 500 000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, around a third of the city’s total, using mass-burn technology to generate 28-36 MW of electricity, according to the DBSA. The facility aims to extend landfill life, reduce methane emissions and support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition objectives.
“This project not only supports Johannesburg’s waste management and energy needs but also illustrates how blended finance can unlock transformative, sustainable solutions for South Africa’s cities,” says Mohale Rakgate, DBSA Chief Investment Officer.
Implemented through a public-private partnership on a design-build-finance-maintain-operate-transfer basis, the project aligns with the city’s Integrated Waste Management Plan and the National Waste Management Strategy, Rakgate says.
Executive Mayor Dada Morero says the funding will “assist the city in extending the life of existing landfills by diverting municipal solid waste to a waste-to-energy facility”.
