Charlottetown is preparing to establish a new waste management facility that will be more energy-efficient and capable of processing a larger volume of waste from various parts of Prince Edward Island.
Enwave Energy Corporation’s CEO, Carlyle Coutinho, expressed excitement about the upcoming facility, describing it as a cutting-edge establishment that aims to set a global standard in waste processing technology. The project, with an estimated cost of around $180 million, is a collaborative effort involving the Canadian Infrastructure Bank, the provincial government, and the City of Charlottetown.
The new plant, to be situated at the current P.E.I. Energy Systems site on Riverside Drive, is anticipated to double the processing capacity of the existing facility. Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown highlighted the positive impact of the project, emphasizing its potential to reduce landfill usage and provide more energy for residential, commercial, and institutional purposes across the province.
Currently, the existing facility processes approximately 42% of waste collected in Charlottetown and surrounding areas. The new waste processing plant is projected to handle up to 90% of the province’s garbage, converting it into energy that can heat numerous buildings in Charlottetown, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and City Hall.
Carlyle Coutinho expressed optimism for increased energy production efficiency in the future, emphasizing the positive environmental impact of the new facility on reducing carbon emissions.
The construction of the new waste processing plant is scheduled to commence later this year or early 2026, with an operational target set for 2028. Coutinho mentioned plans to preserve the old building for potential future energy projects, ensuring continuity of sustainability initiatives on the island.
