About the Project
With its rapidly growing economy and population most of India is in need of a secure and sustainable energy supply to sustain economic development and reduce alarming levels of pollution.
The Namakkal Waste to Energy Project is located near Thattayangarpatti Village in Namakkal district, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where about 60 - 70 percent of the state's total chicken and egg supply is produced. The traditional open storage of the chicken litter results in severe environmental and hygienic problems as well as the release of harmful methane emissions.
As the first of its kind in India, this waste to energy project converts up to 120,000 tons/year of chicken litter as well as other organic residues from starch and sugar industries into renewable electricity, which is being fed into the southern electricity grid. By generating renewable power exclusively from biomass waste, competition with food production is avoided.
Aside from reducing climate impacts, up to 10,000 tons/year of high quality solid organic fertilizer are being produced, supporting local and regional smallholders in implementing sustainable agricultural practices. This in turn increases their crop yields and improves their livelihoods, while respecting the environment.
The project facilitates a constant transfer of technology and best practices, and supports social and educational advancement in the community.
The additional registration under the CDM and Gold Standard ensures that all relevant indicators of the project’s contribution to a sustainable development are monitored and guaranteed throughout the lifetime of the project.
Project Standard
SDG
Project Video
Project Facts
| Project type | Waste to energy |
| Location | India |
| Carbon standard | CDM, Gold Standard |
| CDM project ID | 8288 |
| GS project ID | 3607 |
| Registration date | 29/12/2012 |
| Installed capacity | 2.4 MW |
| Annual CO2-eq reduction | 20,000 tons |
Sustainable Development Goals
While working towards the transition to a low-carbon future and taking action against climate change, the Namakkal Waste to Energy Project actively contributes toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each of the 17 goals has specific targets seeking to protect the planet, end poverty, reduce inequality and ensure prosperity for all.
High quality organic fertilizer, produced from residues of biogas production, improves farm yields and soil quality, thus increasing income to ensure sustainable rural livelihoods for the local population.
Emission reduction of 54.56 tons SO2 and 15.14 tons NO. Studies prove a significant correlation between high concentrations of SO2 or NO and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
To this day, more than 100 workshops about sustainable soil management and proper application of organic fertilizer have been provided.
Replacement of open manure storage at local farms with digestion in closed septic tanks prevents potential contaminations of nearby water resources. No wastewater discharges from plant site.
Production of 20,000 MWh electricity per year increases the total share of renewable energy within the national energy mix and secures local energy supply.
The project partner is currently hiring 21 employees and enforcing international and domestic work safety standards. Additionally, 17 women and men are working at the biogas plant as unskilled workers on daily wages.
Annual reduction of 20,000 tons CO2-eq. The reduction is in line with India‘s ratification of the second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol and NDCs, submitted in accordance with Paris Agreement.
41% of the total land area of the state of Tamil Nadu is degraded. The amount of organic fertilizer sold in 2016 has improved the soil quality of 1,950 hectare of agricultural area.
Joint venture supports transfer of revenue share and environmentally sound technology development to India.