Kodungaiyur incinerator plan faces renewed scrutiny over climate costs

Kodungaiyur dumping yard in Chennai. Image used for representation

Chennai’s proposed 2,100-tonne-per-day waste-to-energy incinerator at Kodungaiyur has come under criticism yet again from environmental groups and residents’ associations, after a new study by the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice and the Centre for Financial Accountability. The study questioned the carbon intensity of electricity generated by such facilities.

The report, ‘The Climate Cost of Burning Waste’, estimates that electricity generated by four operational waste-to-energy plants in Delhi carries 3.4 kg of fossil-origin carbon dioxide emissions per unit of net electricity exported — around 4.7 times the national grid average cited in the study, according to a press release.

The proposed Chennai project is estimated to cost ₹3,500 crore. A survey of 415 households across eight neighbourhoods within 2 km of the existing 50-tonne incinerator at Kodungaiyur found that 79.8% reported one or more health problems, the release said.

“Burning waste for electricity means high carbon emissions for little power. Delhi’s four WtE plants show why we must prioritise segregation, reuse, recycling, composting, and biogas over incineration,” said T.K. Shanmugam, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations.

Vishvaja Sambhath of the Chennai Climate Action Group said incineration was “not just a climate concern; it is a public health question”.

Geo Damin of Poovulagin Nanbargal questioned the promotion of incineration as a solution, while report co-author Anwesha Maharana said financing such facilities with climate funds was not a zero-waste solution.