Alternative energy - Landfill

As of 2009, there are a total of  around 300 landfills in Malaysia. 60% are still operating and around 40% are not. Sarawak state has the highest landfills which is around 20% followed by Pahang state 11%. 

The life of landfill ranges from 30-50 years. For example, Kepong land fill which has now turned into Kepong Metropolitan park was a land fill for 30 years. To create the landfill, several pipelines were laid at the base of the landfill to collect leachate. Pipes was also erected vertically at the centre of the landfill to collect methane gas which can be used as energy. Leachate collected were then transferred to another pond for treatment.

From one landfill, it can generates 2 MW which can be sold to TNB at RM0.40/kWh for over 16 years. The electricity output is said to be able to power about a thousand households

Example of running landfill gas plant is at Air Hitam Sanitary landfill at Puchong.