A British banker has proposed to fund a 100 MW solid waste power plant worth $ 500 million in the province of Bataan.

David Wood, chief executive officer of Cocopower Energy Corp., submitted his proposal to the provincial government which will be under public-private partnership, allowing the development of the project at no cost to the provincial government.

Bataan Vice Governor Crisanta Garcia said documentation is already in process for the investor’s plan to install the plant at the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles.

“It will be the first such technology converting solid wastes to energy in Bataan,” she was quoted in a Philippine News Agency report.

Mar Supnad introduced the investors to Bataan’s provincial officials and said Bataan will only provide 15 hectares of land as counterpart.

The construction will begin once funding and documentations are finished, he added.

Wood said the power plant will be the first in Bataan and the Philippines to have state of the art Australian technology which will process waste to energy.

“It is green energy to replace coal. The technology will solve environmental problems,” Wood said.

The first phase of the power plant needs 1,500 tons of garbage per day.

However, if the needed supply won’t be met, the company will ask farmers to plant Napier grass that could be used as fuel for the plant, which will also provide extra income for the residents, Supnad said.

“It will have a positive effect on the environment for it will produce clean power,” Wood said.

He also added that the project would result in zero landfills and close to none harmful emissions and a smokeless fuel.

CEO of Disruptive Corp Edgardo Rivera said they will adhere to the country’s Solid Waste Management Act. The company will also provide the technology and equipment.