Island nations adopt waste-to-energy technology

Island nations are increasingly adopting waste-to-energy technology to address the dual challenges of limited land space and the need for sustainable energy. This shift aims to replace traditional open landfills, which often damage local ecosystems, with thermal recovery systems that provide both waste disposal and electricity.

In the Maldives, a new project is set to end the ecological impact of the Thilafushi landfill, which has emitted toxic smoke since 1992. Starting in late 2026, a new facility will process 500 tons of waste daily, generating approximately 100,000 MWh of clean electricity annually for the Malé region using European-standard filtration systems.

Similarly, in Bali, Indonesia, construction began in July 2026 on the island’s first waste-to-energy plant. The facility is expected to process over 500,000 tons of household waste per year, reducing local landfill volumes by up to 80 percent and providing electricity to roughly 100,000 households.