Mixed reactions in proposed Vuda waste-to-energy project

An engineer has raised environmental, financial, and energy security concerns about the proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Vuda, urging authorities to defer approval until a full alternative assessment is completed.

Sunil Chand made the submission as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review process, assessing the project against national energy, environmental, and economic considerations.

He said the proposed facility’s scale — about 900,000 tonnes of waste per year and roughly 80 megawatts of power — exceeds Fiji’s estimated annual waste generation of about 190,000 tonnes.

“This implies the importation of four to five times the country’s domestic waste,” Mr Chand said.

“This could create long-term dependence on external waste supply, with risks including the importation of hazardous materials and the management of large volumes of ash, posing environmental and public health risks.”

Support for project

Meanwhile, Ulaiasi Dau, a representative of Namoli Village, said the proposed waste-to-energy project in Vuda is “an answer to our prayers”, citing decades of problems from the nearby Vunato dumpsite.

Mr Dau said communities have endured foul odour and flies from the dumpsite for 40 to 50 years.

“I am here to show our support for this project,” Mr Dau said.

“For 40 to 50 years we have experienced unpleasant smell. We can avoid food and water for a time, but not the air we breathe. We smell that air 24/7. TNG Fiji is an answer to our prayers.

“Two years ago, we approached biosecurity authorities about installing an incinerator at Vunato. Now this project has come,” he said.

Mr Dau said communities near the dumpsite would prefer the project be relocated from Vuda to Vunato.

“In 15 to 20 years, imagine how much waste Fiji will have. If we do not act now, the problem will worsen,” he said.