Environment

Delhi Ghazipur Landfill Waste-to-Energy Plant: 24 MW Daily from 2,000 Tonnes of Solid Waste

9 November 20262 min1 source4 questionsStory 9 of 59

For Prelims: Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), Location, Plant capacity, Electricity generation, Model

For Mains: Circular economy, scientific waste management, PPP model, urban environmental governance

Source:HindustanHindustan

Why in the news?

Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site will host a modern waste-to-energy plant that converts 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily into 24 MW of electricity. The project, developed on a PPP model by Jabalpur MSW Pvt Ltd, has a 25-year concession period and ₹122 crore funding under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, with power tariff approved at ₹7.39 per kWh by DERC.

Summary

  • Ghazipur landfill site in East Delhi will get a waste-to-energy plant with a daily capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste generating about 24 MW of electricity.
  • The project is developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by Jabalpur MSW Pvt Ltd, which will build, finance and operate the plant for 25 years on leased land from the municipal corporation.
  • Central funding of ₹122 crore is provided under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has approved a tariff of ₹7.39 per kWh.

Highlights

  • Waste-to-Energy Plant at Ghazipur

    A modern plant at Delhi's Ghazipur landfill will process 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily to generate 24 MW of electricity.

  • PPP Model with 25-Year Concession

    Jabalpur MSW Pvt Ltd will build, finance and operate the plant on leased MCD land for 25 years under a PPP model.

  • ₹122 Crore Central Funding Under SBM-U 2.0

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs provides ₹122 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, and DERC has approved ₹7.39 per kWh tariff.

Background

Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site is one of the city's oldest and most notorious garbage mountains, causing air and water pollution and health hazards. The MCD has been under pressure from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to scientifically manage the accumulated waste. This waste-to-energy project is a key step towards scientific disposal and resource recovery.

Key Analysis and Impact

The project converts a persistent environmental liability into an energy asset. By processing 2,000 tonnes of waste daily, it reduces the landfill's height and methane emissions while adding 24 MW to Delhi's power grid. The PPP model ensures private investment and operational efficiency, while the ₹7.39 per kWh tariff makes the project commercially viable. The ₹122 crore SBM-U 2.0 funding aligns with the central government's goal of promoting circular economy and sustainable waste management in urban areas.

Way Forward

The plant must comply with NGT and DPCC environmental standards during construction and operation. Successful implementation could serve as a model for other Indian cities with landfill crises. Future challenges include ensuring consistent waste segregation at source to maintain plant efficiency and managing the residual ash. The 25-year concession period ensures long-term waste processing capacity for East Delhi.

Delhi connection

Matters for these Delhi exams:DSSSB 7/10

Background GK

Textbook concepts you need to understand this news

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant
A facility that converts non-recyclable solid waste into energy, typically electricity or heat, through processes like incineration, gasification, or anaerobic digestion.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
A model where a private entity builds, finances and operates a public infrastructure project for a fixed concession period, after which it may be transferred back to the government.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
A central government mission launched in 2021 to achieve garbage-free and open-defecation-free urban India, with focus on solid waste management, wastewater treatment and faecal sludge management.
Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC)
The state electricity regulator for Delhi that sets tariffs for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, ensuring fair pricing and quality of supply.

Facts to remember

Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.

How exams will ask this

  • Data: 2,000 metric tonnes per day waste; 24 MW electricity; ₹122 crore central funding; ₹7.39 per kWh tariff; 25-year concession period
  • Nodal Body: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (for SBM-U 2.0 funding)
  • Legal Point: National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) compliance

Don't make this mistake!

They may confuse the waste capacity (2,000 metric tonnes/day) with the electricity output (24 MW) or swap the tariff (₹7.39 per kWh) with the funding amount (₹122 crore). They may also ask which body approved the tariff: DERC, not the MCD or the central ministry.

Write these in mains answers

  • Circular economy, scientific waste management, PPP model, urban environmental governance

Stuck? Get it in one tap

Practice questions

Pick an answer, then read the explanation.

  1. Q1Easy

    Which ministry provides central funding for the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0?

  2. Q2Hard

    Consider the following statements regarding the Ghazipur waste-to-energy plant:

    1. 1.The plant will process 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily to generate 24 MW of electricity.
    2. 2.The project is being developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for a concession period of 20 years.
    3. 3.The tariff for electricity generated has been approved by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) at ₹7.39 per kWh.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  3. Q3Medium

    What is the central funding amount provided under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 for the Ghazipur waste-to-energy plant?

  4. Q4Medium

    What is the primary environmental benefit of the Ghazipur waste-to-energy plant?

Frequently asked questions

1. Where will the new waste-to-energy plant be built in Delhi?

The plant will be built at the Ghazipur landfill site in East Delhi.

2. How much electricity will the Ghazipur waste-to-energy plant generate daily?

The plant will generate about 24 MW of electricity daily by processing 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste.

3. Which company has been selected to develop the Ghazipur waste-to-energy plant?

Jabalpur MSW Pvt Ltd has been selected to build, finance and operate the plant on a PPP model for 25 years.

4. What is the tariff approved by DERC for electricity from this plant?

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) approved a tariff of ₹7.39 per kilowatt-hour (unit) on October 13, 2026.

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