Higher energy yield

Today’s state-of-the-art power-generating waste-to-energy (WTE) plants record a net yield of approximately 23%.

However, the Zabalgarbi plant’s innovative design, adapting combined-cycle gas plant technology to modern WTE plants in a single integrated process, means it records a net yield of 42%.

Net energy yield

  • Urban WTE plants = 23%
  • Zabalgarbi = 42%

The EU’s THERMIE Programme – DG 17 – has recognised this improved performance and energy efficiency by granting Zabalgarbi its maximum subsidy for increasing energy performance, saving and efficiency, as well as for reducing its environmental impact..

Saving fossil fuels and reducing CO2 emissions per kWh generated

The use of UW instead of fossil fuels and its highly efficient plant enable Zabalgarbi to deliver significant primary energy savings.

Primary energy saving: 47%

Moreover, the renewable fraction of UW entering the plant –biomass- amounts to 63%, similar to the figures recorded throughout the EU.

Renewable fraction of UW: 63%

The plant’s WTE process, together with its performance and overall efficiency, also help to reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions per KWh generated (175% less than the emissions from a landfill).

Reducing the environmental impact per kWh generated

Power is generated at a facility whose efficiency and environmental protection measures ensure the effective reduction of emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced.

This reduction is achieved through the following measures:

  • combustion control measures in hotboxes and burners
  • effective scrubbing of combustion gases
  • highly efficient technology

Other general features

  • Improved operating conditions reduce corrosion in the furnace-boiler because of the lower temperature of the steam produced, resulting in lower operating and maintenance costs
  • Increased plant availability.
  • The size of the Zabalgarbi treatment plant combines a processing capacity of around 220,000 to 240,000 t of UW per annum with a net installed power-generating capacity of around 95 MW
  • The improved management and use of UW resources, gas and energy –easy access by road, gas transport network, and the high-voltage output substation- reduce economic and environmental impacts