Viability of incinerator being assessed

The government has announced that the Ministry of Health has commenced an evaluation to determine the viability of the Pockwood Pond incinerator.

Health Minister Vincent Wheatley, accompanied by ministry officials, recently met with Andy Hooker of Pennram Diversified Manufacturing Corporation to discuss the facility’s future. Hooker, who conducted an initial assessment, is expected to provide a detailed report on improving the territory’s waste incineration capacity in a more economical and environmentally sustainable manner.

Minister Wheatley emphasised the critical role of the incinerator in managing the territory’s waste.

“I recognise the significant challenges the Department of Waste Management faces while the incinerator remains non-operational. Therefore, I eagerly await Pennram’s assessment, which will offer valuable insights into the incinerator’s condition and enable us to make well-informed decisions for the best way forward,” Wheatley stated.

The Health Minister previously described repairs to the damaged incinerator as akin to “pulling teeth,” underscoring the difficulty of the process. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism, saying, “We are seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” during a recent House of Assembly session.

The Pockwood Pond incinerator has been non-operational since a catastrophic fire in 2021. Repairs are ongoing, with the final parts expected to arrive soon. Wheatley expressed hope that the facility would resume operations “sooner rather than later.”

Looking ahead, the government is exploring plans to replace the existing incinerator with a more efficient system and to investigate waste-to-energy solutions that could feed into the national grid, contributing to both energy production and sustainable waste management.