\\\'BD to generate power from human waste\\\'

After producing biogas from animal wastes and of late electricity, Bangladesh has now embarked on a plan to generate power through effective management of human waste, making a significant milestone in sanitation in South Asia. Development partners came up with financial support for the venture to supplement the government effort in managing people sludge and reuse it for producing biogas and electricity production. A pilot project with the financial support of Tk 30.1 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates and Foundation (BMGF) and UK Department for International Development was floated in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) last week. The SNV Netherlands Development Organisation will implement the four year (2014-17) project under the leadership of the KCC. Rajeev Munankami, Senior Technical Adviser (Renewable Energy) of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, said the project is designed for effective manufacturing of human waste and reuse it for generating biogas for cooking and producing electricity and organic fertilizer. Munankami said, “But we are not claiming at this moment because we don’t have adequate data. So initially we will do analysis of sludge characteristic.” Brian Arbogast, Director (Water and Sanitation) of the BMGF said sanitation has posed a threat to environmental health and the sanitation challenge has a bearing on development issue in Bangladesh. Arbogast said Bangladesh has the opportunity to be a role model in the region as the country has become the first one to have such project in South Asia, according to BSS.