Chonburi Clean Energy (CCE), a joint venture company established by SUEZ, WHA Utilities and Power Plc., and Glow Energy Plc., a subsidiary of ENGIE, have broken ground on an industrial waste-to-energy (WTE) power plant at the Hemaraj Chonburi Industrial Estate in Chonburi, Thailand. The $59 million facility, which has an operating capacity of 8.63 MW, a contracted capacity of 6.90 MW and the capability to handle a waste volume of about 100,000 tons per year, is the first WTE plant in Southeast Asia to meet European emission standards.

“SUEZ is proud to offer its innovative solutions, specialty and management expertise to assist the Thai government in pursuing sustainability and a circular economy as part of the Thailand 4.0 strategy,” said Steve Clark, CEO of SUEZ Asia, in a statement. “The CCE plant marks SUEZ’s first WTE project in Southeast Asia, and adds to our portfolio of close to 60 successful WTE references worldwide. Together with our partners, we look forward to setting a new benchmark for Thailand’s industrial waste management.”

The facility will dispose of non-hazardous industrial waste through safe, environmentally sustainable methods using state-of-the-art WTE technologies, converting it into green energy while reducing CO2 emissions and the problems associated with landfills.

“By building the plant in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), we can support the country’s pioneering development plans and provide outstanding waste management services to companies attracted by the government’s investment policy for the EEC,” said Clark in a statement. “Meanwhile, the strong partnership between SUEZ and our partners will guarantee the upcoming WTE plant is strictly aligned with world-class standards.”

Construction on the facility is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2019, when it will begin providing operational and maintenance services for 20 years.