Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) is moving forward with plans to convert municipal waste into electricity, as a Japanese engineering company has expressed interest in implementing a waste-to-energy project in the port city.
The matter was discussed during a courtesy meeting between representatives of JFE Engineering and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain at the Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday.
Speaking at the meeting, Mayor Dr Shahadat said modern waste management is essential for building a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city.
"Waste should not be viewed as a burden but as a valuable resource," he said, expressing his commitment to initiatives that can generate electricity from municipal waste.
He noted that Japanese technology and expertise could play a key role in the successful implementation of the project.
Representatives of JFE Engineering informed the meeting that a comprehensive feasibility study for a waste-to-energy facility in Chattogram had already been completed during the 2025–26 fiscal year with support from Japan's Ministry of the Environment.
Based on the study findings, the company is interested in participating in the implementation of the project, they said.
The delegation also said efforts are underway to implement the project under the Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and that preliminary approval has already been secured from the relevant Japanese authorities.
Highlighting the city's growing waste management challenges, the mayor said Chattogram produces a large volume of municipal waste every day, and inadequate disposal systems can contribute to environmental pollution, waterlogging and public health risks.
He described waste-to-energy generation as both an electricity production initiative and a sustainable solution for urban management and climate change mitigation.
"The combination of Japanese technological expertise and Bangladesh's practical needs can open a new chapter in Chattogram's waste management system," he said.
The mayor also called for closer cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan to expedite implementation of the project.
The JFE Engineering delegation included Gen Takahashi, Kenta Ohashi and Bhaskar Saha.
Representing the city corporation were Acting Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Md Ashraful Amin and Chief Conservancy Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury.
According to the feasibility study, the proposed facility would be capable of processing approximately 1,000 tonnes of waste daily and generating between 12 and 15 megawatts of electricity.
Officials said the project could make a significant contribution to improving waste management, reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable urban development in Chattogram.
