South Africa: Durban Landfill-gas-to-electricity Project – Mariannhill and La Mercy Landfills

The South Africa: Durban Landfill-gas-to-electricity Project originally comprised of enhanced collection of landfill gas at two landfill sites of the municipality of Durban – La Mercy and Mariannhill, use of the recovered gas to produce electricity and flaring of the excess gas. During the first crediting period, the project implemented a landfill gas recovery system at La Mercy and substantially upgraded the collection system at Mariannhill where 6 wells were installed as a pilot activity. In June 2009, the La Mercy site was decommissioned due to operational difficulties. Since then, the project has been operating at the Mariannhill site only. The scenario existing prior to the implementation of the project activity was that neither landfill had an active landfill gas collection and utilization system in place. Landfill gas was vented to ensure that the concentration of methane in any particular area of the landfill stayed below hazardous levels. The project activity contributed to sustainable development by improving the local environment with positive effects on air and groundwater quality. By displacing electricity from the grid, the project reduced emissions related to coal-fired power production which include Sulphur oxides, Nitrogen oxides, and particulates. It also reduced the adverse impacts related to transportation of coal and coal mining (dust and acid mine drainage). Near the landfill sites, the project improved the air quality by further reducing the amount of landfill gas released into the atmosphere and thus reducing the risk of exposure of neighboring residents to odor. Regarding local employment, the project resulted in a small increase in skilled jobs for operation and maintenance of the equipment.