Challenges
Access to safe drinking water, clean environment and personal sanitation is recognized as a fundamental human right and a critical foundation for achieving SDGs, including good health and gender equality. Nevertheless, billions worldwide still struggle to get safe drinking water and basic sanitation services, with over 40% facing severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.
Toward a Solution
UNIDO ITPO Beijing provided early-stage support for the OP Series J-OP V2 processor project in Senegal, commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and assembled and debugged by CRRC Beijing Locomotive Co., Ltd.
The project utilizes advanced “biomass + incineration” technology for harmless treatment of waste from sewage treatment plants. It helps to eliminate all pathogens and hazardous substances and transforms the waste into economically valuable renewable resources while effectively controlling greenhouse gas emissions in the process. The equipment is estimated to process waste from over 100,000 people daily, generating 230 kilowatts of net electricity and supplying approximately 86,000 liters of drinking water to address local water scarcity.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was completed and launched successfully. After operating for one and a half years, UNIDO ITPO Beijing sent experts to Senegal for assessment in March 2023. The project has since become a regional benchmark, managed by a local team of 20 members. Trucks queue daily at the plant to deliver sludge where it is then transformed into clean water, energy, and valuable products. The project has been recognized by local stakeholders, and looks forward to future collaboration.
The equipment is estimated to process waste from over 100,000 people daily, generating 230 kilowatts of net electricity and supplying approximately 86,000 liters of drinking water to address local water scarcity. The local 20 – person management team can already be self – sufficient by relying on the by – products of the treatment plant