FEASIBILITY STUDY TIRANA WASTES TREATMENT AREA … · FEASIBILITY STUDY TIRANA WASTE TREATMENT AREA– T.W.T.A. 2. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS 2.1 Project background Project originator and

FEASIBILITY STUDY

TIRANA WASTES TREATMENT AREA– T.W.T.A.

December 2016

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FEASIBILITY STUDY TIRANA WASTE TREATMENT AREA– T.W.T.A.

CONTENT

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

2.1 Project background

2.1.1 Project originator and purpose

2.1.2 Existing waste management situation in Albania and Tirana

2.2 Waste Condition in the district of Tirana

2.2.1 District of Tirana

2.3 Short description of the project

2.4 Location e status of the proposed area

2.4.1 Geographical location

2.4.2 The proposed area

2.4.3 Legal status of the proposed site

2.4.4 Proximity to residential areas

2.4.5 Proximity to rivers

2.4.6 Climate

2.4.7 Topography

2.4.8 Geological, geotechnical and seismologic frame

2.4.9 Current network and connectivity of services status

2.4.10 Availability of access roads

2.6 EU framework on waste management

2.6.1 Legal Framework

2.6.2 MSW Production and management in the EU

2.7 General Technology approach to T.W.T.A.

2.7.1 Sustainable approach

2.7.2 Best practices on Waste Management in medium income countries

2.7.3 European best practice on MSW and treatment methods

3 CONSTRUCTIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE

T.W.T.A.

3.1 General description

3.2 The steps and phases of construction

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3.3 Operation of the T.W.T.A. with regards to the different types of waste treated

3.4 Technical description of the WTE

3.4.1 The technological choice for the waste treatment

3.4.2 Description of operation

3.4.3 Construction of the WTE

3.5 Design, Construction and operations of the Landfills

3.5.1 Legal Framework e standards

3.5.2General description of Sanitary landfills

3.5.3 Technical description of the landfills

3.5.4 Protection of soil & water – geological barrier an top sealing

3.5.5 Biogas capture and flaring plant

3.6 Technical description of the selection plant

3.6.1 General description

3.6.2 Selection process

3.7 Technical description of the bio-stabilization plant

3.8 Technical description of the Leachate treatment plant

3.9 Auxiliary installations

3.10 Remediation of the Sharra landfill

3.10.1 Social, operational and environmental challenges at the existing landfill

3.10.2 Technical approach and methodology for Sharra landfill site – residual operational life

3.10.3 Technical approach and methodology for final closure and post-closure care

3.10.4 Top Sealing system


3.10.6 LFG Productivity

4 SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

4.1 Contribution to climate protection

4.2 Geology, Soil and Topography

4.3 Surface water and underground resources

4.3.1 Surface water

4.3.2 Groundwater

4.4 Air quality

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4.5 Noise and vibrations

4.6 Biodiversity and protected areas

4.7 Natural resources

4.8 Socio economic effects

4.8.1 Socio economic effects

4.8.2 Stakeholders engagement

4.9 Landscape and visual values

4.10 Health and public safety

4.11 Historical and cultural heritage

5 LIST OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO MONITOR

6 ECONOMICAL AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

6.1 Quantitative assumptions

6.2 Costs

6.3 Revenue forecast

6.4 Economical feasibility of the project

7 RISK ANALYSIS

7.1 Location Risk

7.2 Risk related to project design, construction and operation

7.3 Economic risks

7.4 Political e Legal risks

7.5 Risks from extraordinary phenomena

8 THE RATIONALE OF THE CONCESSION DECISION / PPP-S

8.1 Qualitative Assessment for the Money Value Evaluation (MVE)

8.2 Quantification of "Money Value”

8.3 Classification of the project as "inside" or "outside" government balance sheet

9 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONFORMITY

9.1 On environment

9.2 Thermovalorization plant location criteria

9.3 Specific provisions for thermovalorization plants

9.4 On air pollution

9.5 On water

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9.6 Legislation on procurement

9.7 Additional information about landfills

9.8 Legislation on expropriation

9.9 Additional legislation related to the project

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The growth of industrialization, urbanization and changes in the life pattern, factors associated

with the process of economic growth, are indicators that the current and next generation will

grow in leaps and bounds in regard to the production of waste. Unlike us, a common feature in

most developed countries is that the entire waste management system is being treated as a

profitable venture by private companies, by non-governmental and governmental organizations

with a fee for waste treatment, this being one of the main sources of income. Different

technologies are being adopted and waste to energy plants is one of them. The main advantages

of adopting such technologies for the reuse of waste and the production of energy from urban

waste are the reduction of the amount of waste and environmental pollution and the production

of a significant amount of renewable energy.

Managing urban waste is a major responsibility for Local and Central Governments, and it is a

complex task that requires a suitable organizing capacity within the Public-Private sector.

Although it is essential for public health and environmental protection, urban waste management

is often unsatisfactory in developing cities.

In Albania, waste treatment with energy recovery initiatives are not yet a reality. However,

thanks to the latest technological developments, this technology has recognized a widespread use

in recent years, especially in EU countries.

Given the fact that until late, waste treatment was carried out in a primitive way and with old and

weak functioning thermovalorizaton plants, public opinion remains skeptical about this method

and this also due to a lack of knowledge regarding new technologies in this field.

However this technology continues to be successfully implemented in a large number of EU

countries, and in recent years this option has seen a more positive approach from authorities,

environmental organizations as well as experts in the field.

This project is an important step in fulfilling the national targets and bridging the gap with

international standards according to the directives regarding waste, as a prerequisite for

membership of the EU.

This initiative is expected to provide the following advantages:

From an environmental point of view, the potential for reduction of CO2 emissions as a

contribution to climate protection;

From an economic point of view, for ex. increase of electricity price in the future

From a health point of view, reducing risks and potential environmental impacts.

In this study, you will note that this project is potentially feasible from an environmental,

technical and economic point of view.

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2. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

2.1 Project background

Project originator and purpose

The initiator and proposer of the construction, operation of the “TIRANA WASTE

TREATMENT AREA – T.W.T.A." is the company with unsolicited proposal “INTEGRATED

ENERGY B.V.” sh.p.k. The company's shareholders are “Integrated Technology Services

sh.p.k”, “Paul Wurth Italia s.p.a” & “Energy Recuperator s.p.a”. The direct beneficiary of the

project, the District of Tirana that needs an immediate and final solution for the urban solid and

inert waste management of the district, a problematic carried over years. The above proposed

project for the district of Tirana, Republic of Albania, based on the operating form "BOT" (Built,

Operate, and Transfer), according to the Public-Private partnership scheme. Through this project

it is expected to fulfill the short and long term objectives of waste management on a local level.

Regarding the legal status of the company, we clarify that the entity is registered near National

Registration Center in conformity with the law. The company is in partnership with companies

“Paul Wurth Italia s.p.a” & “Energy Recuperator s.p.a.”. We clarify that the entity “Paul Wurth

Italia s.p.a” is from world’s giants in the construction and installation of blast furnace and iron

production all over the world. The proposing company has several partners, because the plant is

complex and requires different technologies and expertise for landfill parts, different from

incineration part. “Integrarted Energy B.V” is a limited liability company with headquarters in

Netherland, address: Hoogoorddreef 15, 1101BA, Amsterdam, having partner companies “Paul

Wurth Italia S.P.A.”, “Energy Recuperation S.P.A.” and “Integrated Technology Services”

sh.p.k. This company is established in compliance with Dutch legislation and is issued with

NUIS 000035273593. The company is part of “PAUL WURTH GROUP” with main headquarter

of the company “PAUL WURTH ITALIA” S.P.A in Genova (GE) Via di Francia 1 CAP 16149

Stradario 26820, is registered on 06/05/2005 in Companies Registry of Italian state. Companies

capital, approved and undersigned is: 1.000.000, 00 Euro. Shares number: 5.000, with a value

200,00 Euro.

The company Paul Wurth Italia S.p.a contains “know-how” competencies of a long term

duration as regards management of big projects “keys in hand/completed” for the construction of

integrated plants and also in executive engineering services and supervision in terrain.

Key participants of the project at national level shall be Ministry of Environment, Ministry of

Energy and Industry, Ministry of Finance.

On proposal of Ministry of Environment, Council of Ministers, through DCM No 855, date

07.12.2016 approved the bonus of 8 points do be given to the company which has made the

unsolicited proposal for the implementation of the plant in case the latter participates in

competitive selection procedure.

2.1.2 Existing waste management situation in Albania and Tirana

The collection and centralized management of urban waste in Albania is not at an advanced stage

and it is coupled with infrastructure problems and a lack of financial and technical capacities etc.

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The lack of modern sanitary urban waste treatment systems has become a serious problem to the

environment and human health.

The framework on the current waste management system and production in Albania and the

Region of Tirana is described with reference to the content of the progress reports of European

Commission to meet the requirements within the framework of the Stabilization Association

Agreement, the situation of waste management in Albania for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 is

introduced as follows:

a) 2013- By-laws are adopted for waste management and management plans are prepared

for Tirane, Lezhe and Shkoder. Waste management continues to be a serious concern for

Albania. Waste separation has still not started, with some exceptions and recycling level

continues to be very low. The recycling industry is in an initial phase and should import

most of the raw materials from abroad. Municipalities have very poor waste management

capacities, including in the final destination. Most of wastes continue to be unsafely

disposed in lawful or unlawful collection points or they are incinerated. Currently, there

are only two landfills meeting EU standards. The construction of a landfill has begun in

Korce. There is still a lack of facilities for hazardous medical or construction waste, and

there is no clear procedure for the management and control of landfills. New investments

in this area should be rather focused on waste separation and recycling.1

b) 2014- As regards the waste management, amendments made in October 2013 to the Law

on Waste Integrated Management are not compliant with acquis. The national advisory

body for waste issues was set up in July. The waste management committee to plan and

coordinate policy implementation in this area was set up in October but capacities of

waste management authorities are still inadequate. Waste separation is almost non-

existent and recycling level continues to be very low. Most of the wastes continue to be

unsafely disposed in lawful or unlawful collection points or they are incinerated. Waste

management continues to be a serious concern for Albania.2

c) 2015- Waste management policy planning, coordination and implementation are

progressing too slowly and administrative capacities are still too limited. The

implementing legislation in accordance with the acquis communitaire3 is adopted for the

fields of export and transit of non-hazardous waste and construction waste, as well as the

use of sewerage sludge. Waste separation is too limited and their recycling rarely takes

place. Most of wastes continue to be unsafely disposed in lawful or unlawful collection

points or through incineration4.

As the “Progress Report” shows, there has been an improvement of the political and legal

framework, but their putting into practice still remains a priority.

If we refer to the “2014 Environmental Status Report” of the National Environment Agency

(NEA), some of the most disturbing findings5 are as follows:

1Official document from the Commission staff, 2013 Progress Report for Albania P.62 2 Official document from the Commission staff, 2013 Progress Report for Albania P.62

3 ACQUIS COMMUNAUTAIRE

4 COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT ALBANIA 2015 REPORT P.67

5 ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS REPORT 2014 P. 164

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- Rural areas are not yet covered by waste management services. Most of these areas’

waste is deposited into rivers or on the side of roads which are cleaned away by water

thus moved to another part of the territory and finally in the water flows.

- Municipal waste has a high percentage of organic waste and the waste in our country is

currently not composted in order to reduce their quantity in landfills. Organic waste

landfills are the main source of CH4 emissions in the air. There is no secure system for

managing hazardous waste (those produced by industries and domestically).

- The most commonly used method for the treatment of waste is landfills, though it should

be mentioned that these landfills are not compliant or are located in sensitive areas,

leading to potential environment pollution.

- It should be noted that no biodegradable composting plant or incineration plants of

municipal (not recyclable) and industrial waste exist to utilize their energy for the

production of energy.

Sharra landfill is located in the southwest of Tirana. The distance from the city center is about 6

km. The location is ideal in relation to the distance from the city center. Before the 90s the

landfill was primarily used for industrial waste disposal. The Waste Management Enterprise,

under the City General Directorate No.1, established in 1994, is in charge of the landfill

operations. However, the operation of the landfill was carried out in an uncontrolled way and

spontaneous combustion of waste occurred until September 2008 when the old landfill closed to

permit the expansion of the new one. However, the existing landfill where the waste is disposed

is not isolated and has no safeguards to prevent groundwater from penetrating and thus freeing

the passage of heavy metals and other pollutants.

In terms of the current condition of the existing Sharra landfill, find below the following

evaluation:

Waste volumes have exceeded the capacity for which the actual municipality of Tirana

waste landfill was designed. To calculate the waste volume a survey of the existing

situation was conducted and a reference to the lower level, a longitudinal profile axis was

used which refers to the upper quota of the water collection tank and the landfill

construction project. To achieve these volumes crosscuts of the area were performed

every 5 meters.

In many cases, industrial waste is deposited in the same places with urban waste bringing

negative effects on the environment.

More the conditions of Sharra are commented below:

The conveyance of light fragments and dust due to wind is a major cause of bad odors which are

the result of organic waste fermentation and decomposition.

The current landfill has no suitable technique for covering the waste. There is no extensive and

functional system for Biogas Capture and flaring, and this leads to liberation of the gas directly

into the atmosphere and potential explosions.

The main compound of biogas is methane which has a huge greenhouse effect and has a low

burning temperature, carrying the risk of fires in the landfill. For this reason it is necessary to

design a network of wells to capture the biogas and proceed with controlled burning.

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2.2 Waste Condition in the district of Tirana

As far as production of Urban Waste in Albania is concerned, due to a number of various

economic and social factors, the generation of solid urban waste per capita has undergone major

changes in recent years.

As occurred in other countries with economic changes and modernization it is expected that the

percentage of the components of the Urban Waste will change in time. We will probably assist to

an increase of production per capita and an increase of the percentage of the non-organic

materials.

Data on production from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure show the data of

production of waste in Albania in 2014.

In the year 2014 the amount of solid waste produced per capita at nation level is 1.05 kg / person

per day while for the district of Tirana the production is of 0.9 kg / person per day (Figure 2 e 3).

The district of Tirana has the highest production, followed by the district of Fier, Gjirokastra and

Vlora.

No District Populatio

n

Annual solid

household

waste (tons)

Annual

quantity

inert waste

(tons)

Amount solid

domestic waste

(kg/person per

day)

No. of

benefiting

residents

from the

service

1 BERAT

109,539

26,683

20,368

0.70

109,539

2 DIBËR

37,000

13,639

1,360

1.00

36,500

3 DURRËS

307,776

91,737

5,426

0.75

2,907,226

4 ELBASA

N

203,470

58,138

15,880

1.05

197,320

5 FIER

218,262

93,538

14,523

1.05

203,815

6 GJIROKA

STËR

96,964

34,909

2,175

2.13

77,786

7 KORCË

133,473

52,034

3,613

1.00

132,566

8 KUKËS

107,912

21,600

25,100

1.20

107,912

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9 LEZHË

44,014

11,754

1,185

1.15

34,214

10 TIRANË

778,338

246,800

43,784

0.90

765,759

11 SHKODË

R

147,569

32,586

4,044

0.60

145,709

12 VLORË

204,500

76,989

73,700

1.10

184,320

Total

2,388,817

760,407

211,158

0.90

2,287,166

Figure 1: Waste generation by districts 2014

Source: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure

Figure 2: Solid Waste generated by district in 2014

Report of the situation in Environment 2014

As evidenced by the graphical presentation, the largest amount of generated waste per capita in

2014, is in the district of Tirana.

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Figure 3: The amount of waste generated per capita by district in 2014

Status report on the environment in 2014

Also in the district of Tirana, as in most of the country, waste in most urban areas is collected

and transported by private companies of waste collection. In rural areas still not covered by

waste management services, the population finds individual solutions such as burning or

throwing the waste out of the designated areas.

The waste is usually burned in open spaces, causing major pollution in the surrounding areas.

Consequently, local residents and animals are exposed to toxic substances (dioxins, etc.) which

pose a risk to their health.

Concerning the nature of the Urban Waste data on the composition of waste and percentage of

different fractions, is reported in the work “Municipal waste management in Albania, Arta

Kodra, Agency of Environment and Forestry, NRC for Waste, Albania, November 2013” with

reference to the National Plan of Waste Management (August 2010) and is illustrated in Figure

4.

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Figure 4: Composition of Waste as to the National Plan of Waste Management

(August 2010)

2.2.1 District of Tirana

The district of Tirana lies in the central part of Albania, occupying a part of the Coastal and

Kavaja Plain, the surrounding hilly areas and the Tirana highlands. It is surrounded by the Durres

District in the North-West, the District of Diber in the North and the Northeast, the Elbasan

District in the East and the Southeast, the Fier District in the South and the Adriatic Sea in the

West. The district of Tirana has an area of 1,586 km² with a population of 749,3656. The district

center is located in Tirana.

The Tirana district population represents about 26.76% of the country population, referring to the

2011 Census data and the average population density is 472.49 inhabitants/km², compared with

97.4 inhabitants/km² nationwide. The density mainly reflects the concentration of the population

in local units within a rather small area.

6 (2011 Census)

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Figure 5: District of Tirana

2.3 Short description of the project

The proposed project for the Tirana Waste Treatment Area (T.W.T.A.) foresees the construction

of various main facilities.

The different technologies and installations foreseen in the Integrated T.W.T.A. are prevised and

dimensioned to address the management and treatment of the DISTRICT SOLID WASTE

(INERT AND URBAN WASTE (MSW)) produced in the district of Tirana. The T.W.T.A. is

designed to receive and treat or dispose from 550 to 800 ton/day of waste at the beginning of the

operation (Year 1) and is able to accept higher quantities if needed within the time span of the

concession and in case of an increase of the production of waste in the district.

The proposed project consists in the construction of four main installations:

● The construction of the urban waste processing plant (UWPP) with energy recovery

(Waste to Energy plant - WTE) by producing electricity.

● The construction of urban waste landfill, a landfill for the waste after thermovalorization

processing, and an inert waste landfill.

● The construction of urban waste recycling and stabilization plant.

● The construction of the wastewater processing plant.

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In addition to the above constructions the project will include the final closure/capsulation of the

existing Sharra landfill.

The urban waste processing plant, thermovalorization plant, will be composed of four (4)

separate processing lines. The processing capacity of each line will be of 230 tons/day. The 4

lines will be built in sequence; the first line is prevised to be operational in the eighteenth (18th

)

month of concession. The second line is expected to be operational after 36th

(thirty six) months,

the third line in the 50th

(fiftieth) month. The construction of the last line is planned to start

before month 72 (seventy two). Each line will have a capacity of 230 tons/day and in total 4 lines

a capacity of 920 tons/day.

At the same time the construction of a system of landfills is scheduled to guarantee the disposal

of the whole production of waste and the final closure of the existing Sharra Landfill. The new

landfills will be built according to modern EU standards and Albanian Legislation and will be

prevised for different types of waste.

The first module of the first landfill will be operational within 6 months from the start of the

concession. This first landfill with a volume of 1.67 million m3 is expected to be for municipal

solid waste. It is planned for a longevity of 6 to 10 years, and will allow from the sixth month of

operation of the concession the closure of the existing landfill and the disposal of municipal

waste in line with EU regulation.

The construction of a top sealing system and biogas capture plant for the existing landfill of

Sharra will definitely resolve the topic of the operation of a non-compliant landfill in Tirana and

its possible environmental negative effects.

The T.W.T.A. will have other landfills planned for the disposal of the ashes from the WTE

facility and inert waste.

The landfill for the disposal of the ashes generated by the WTE installation will have the

capacity of 1.8 million m3 and is designed for a projected longevity of 40 (forty) years.

In addition to these modules 2 further landfills are prevised to receive inert and non-recyclable

solid materials with a total capacity of 900,000 m3 and a longevity 40 (forty) years.

The T.W.T.A. has prevised a recycling and differentiation area, a stabilization plant and a

leachate treatment plant. The construction of the waste recycling and differentiation plant is quite

essential because it performs a selection of the incoming waste. The main objective is to generate

a refined waste with optimum calorific power for the WTE. The construction of this plant will

begin with the implementation of this project and shall have a capacity of 550-800 tons/day. The

plant will have a combination of mechanic and manual sorting/selection and will provide

additional benefit with regards to recyclable material such as, metal, glass, plastic. The manual

sorting will enhance the activation of the workforce in this project.

It is prevised the installation of stabilization plant for Organic Fraction of the Waste (FOS) that

will be directed to the landfill and guarantee a more sustainable disposal criteria. The T.W.T.A.

will have a leachate treatment plant, of the capacity of 400 m3/day that will serve for processing

the leachate/wastewaters from the existing Landfill and from the new landfills. This plant is

designed to guarantee the discharge of the leachate within local e EU standards on industrial

wastewater. The plant is completed by all the functional installation such as roads, offices, and

the substation for the connection to the existing national network.

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The concept of this project is the first of its kind in the country that combines the management of

district solid waste (inert and urban waste (MSW)) with benefit in energy production. It should

be emphasized that this project is superior in comparison with the directly waste disposal in the

landfill, in environmental terms but also in economic terms. The primary objective has to do with

a better MSW management, the longevity utilization of the storage areas and the conversion of

MSW into energy.

The construction of this plant has advantages for the area and beyond because on one side is

aimed at the disposal of district solid waste (inert and urban waste (MSW)), a serious problem in

the country, and on the other side the treatment technology is realized with best practices

minimizing negative impact on the environment and the surrounding area. Moreover, the

production of energy will bring a benefit for residents and businesses in the area and beyond.

2.4 Location and status of the proposed area

2.4.1 Geographical location

The proposed area for the construction of the new MSW plant and landfill will stretch south and

east of the existing landfill area. The area lies on a hilly slope gently sloping and height above

sea level of +155 ÷ 95m, appropriate for the implementation of this project.

Geographical coordinates are:

41°17'43" North 19°46'22'' East

41°17'17" North 19°45'26'' East

41°17'37" North 19°45'29'' East

41°17'51" North 19°46'13'' East

2.4.2 The proposed area

The proposed area for the realization of the plant covers about 120 hectares (120.000,000 m2),

the area is necessary for the installment of the necessary infrastructures of the project.

This area is adjacent to the existing landfill and is a planar and hilly area partially unused and

partially cultivated. The morphology of the area is visible in tables No. 5, 6 and 7.

The area has a general low gradient in the south-west direction and is intercepted by the presence

of two small man made reservoirs.

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Figure 6: Location of the land proposed for the project

Figure 7: Overview of area

2.4.3 Legal status of the proposed site

The land proposed, at 39.9% of its surface is in private property status, part of the Municipality

of Tirana, Vaqarr Administrative Unit, Cadastral Zone 3321. This area is regulated by

legislation, namely the Law No.8561, dated 22.12.1999 “On expropriation and making use of

private property for public interest”, as amended, Decision No 127, dated 23.03.2000, “On the

content and procedures of application and the Notice of expropriation and taking for temporary

use of private property for public interest” and other laws.

Land in 60.1 % of its surface is owned by state. Consequently there is no problem or confusion

between the parties ownership

Under conditions when 39.9% is state property shall be necessary to implement expropriation’s

procedures for public interest. The site/territory which will be expropriated there is no

constructed object, thus we are dealing with land property. So general area site where the plant is

going to be constructed is 1.200.000 m2, meaning that the area to be subject to expropriation

procedures is 478.800 m2. Based on the approved fees, for the relevant area, by Decision No 89,

date 03.02.2016 of Council of Ministers “On approval of land value map in the Republic of

Albania”, expropriation value is 478800x447 ALL/M2 (arable land) = 214.502.400 ALL

2.4.4 Proximity to residential areas

The proposed site for the realization of the T.W.T.A. plant lies in the south-west of Tirana. This

area, as shown in the picture, has a respective distance from residential areas:

Tirana (center) 6.0km

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Sharra 1.2km

Vaqarr 2.1km

Damjan Fortuzaj 1.8km

Figure 8: Distance to residential areas

2.4.5 Proximity to rivers

The proposed site for the construction of the plant lies in the intermediate flow of the Erzen river

and is located in the North, North-East of the river at a distance of 1.2 km from it (Figure 9).

In the area there are 2 reservoirs probably used for agricultural reasons.

Figure 9: Distance to Erzen River

2.4.6 Climate

Situated in the central area of Albania, Tirana district has a typical Mediterranean climate with

mild winters and hot summers. In Tirana and in other parts of the lowland cities in some cases

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temperatures can go below zero, but this occurs usually during the night. It is rare for ice and

snow to last longer than a day. However, i.e. negative temperatures in Tirana, do not last more

than 5-6 days a year. While snow is a rare phenomenon in Tirana. Characteristic for the winter

season are the rains, which in many cases are dense. In most of the country, part of the rainfall

occurs during the late autumn and on the eve of spring. The latter with the exception of mountain

areas are quite rare during the summer. A notable feature of Tirana District climate is that it

includes almost all kinds of climates of Albania, from Mediterranean lowland up to the

Mediterranean highland climate. Average annual temperatures range from 5.8°C (Bixë), at

14.8oC (Kavaja) and 15.1

oC (Tirana). Maximum absolute temperatures have reached 41.5

°C

(Tirana) and 39.0°C (Kavaja), while the absolute minimum -10.5

oC (Tirana), to -34.7

oC (Bixë).

Bixa is regarded as one of the coldest locations in the country. The annual rainfall ranges from

1914 mm (Bixë), 1273 mm (Tirana) and 1056 (Kavaja).7

2.4.7 Topography

A topographical survey of the entire project location area has been conducted.

The area where the survey was conducted falls on the map with nomenclature K-34-100-B-a-1

and K-34-100-B-a-3, with an area of 120 ha.

The coordinates were taken referring to the national network ALBPOS which meets the technical

requirements of governmental decisions and technical manuals in the Republic of Albania.

Ellipsoid WGS84, UTM projection (UTMWGS 1984 datum, Area 34 North, Meter: Cent.

Meridian 21 d E).

All measurements were conducted with GPS devices, GRX1 Sokkia GNSS receiver with the

RTK method (Real Time Kinematic).

The topographical survey was conducted in 3d to present an overview of the terrain and its

components with accuracy and precision. The instrument used for the field measurements is a

GPS Sokkia GRX1 GNSS Receiver.

The content of the field is expressed in drawings by use of conventional signs and codes

appropriate and applicable in the Republic Albania. Figure 10 shows the topography that is

reported in Tables 5 and 6.

7 Tirana district, Guide

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Figure 9: Topographical survey

2.4.8 Geological, geotechnical and seismologic frame

2.4.8.1 Introduction

The geological description is described referring to the studies conducted by Altea Geo Studio

for Paul Wurth.

The engineering-seismological study relied on the research "Seismicity, Seismotectonics and

Evaluation of Seismic Risk in Albania" (Aliaj etc., 2010), published by the Albanian Academy

of Sciences, in the engineering-geological report conditions of the studied site, conducted by Ing.

Skender Geologist (2014), and on the “Report on seismic micro-zoning of the city of Tirana”

(Kociaj etc., 1988), as well as numerous engineering-seismological studies conducted in Tirana

by the former Institute of Seismology until 2007.

During the study boreholes where executed in the area to the east of the existing Sharra landfill.

This data at this stage are considered valid for the preliminary framing of the geological and

geotechnical characteristics of the project site of the T.W.T.A. The report conclusions are

reported in the following chapters.

During the study 10 boreholes were conducted to the depth 10.00 m, 15.00 m, 20.00 m, and

25.00 m and data from other drillings performed in the area were used as well.

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In this study, a seismic hazard evaluation was conducted regarding the risk that may threaten this

building site in terms of rocky land through a modern probability methodology Cornell-

McGuire.

The evaluation of the seismic hazard of the studied site under the specific concrete conditions

has been performed using the computer program SHAKE 2000 (GA Ordonez, 2011).

The seismic hazard is expressed by land vibration physical parameters as a result of its vibration

from earthquakes, such as maximum PGA acceleration and SA spectral accelerations for periods

of land shaking.

Based on physical-mechanical parameters given in the geological-engineering study, the

geotechnical model of the square is defined which is used to calculate the maximum acceleration

of land vibration.

2.4.8.2 Geological-tectonic framework in the surrounding area of Tirana

The city of Tirana is located in the Pran-Adriatic plain, more precisely in the southern plains of

Tirana Molassic syncline. Tirana syncline is around 80 km long and 10-12 km wide.

It represents an asymmetric syncline with the western side with a strong falling to almost

inverted and an eastern side with a soft drop. It is composed by middle-to upper Miocene

molasic deposits and partially of Pliocene in the northern part of it.

Molasic Miocene it is placed transgressively and in an angular inconsistent above carbonate-

flysch structures of Ionian and Krutane areas.

Molasic Miocene consists of siltstones, silts and sandstones, on the basis of Serravalian and

lithothamnium limestone.

The Molasic Miocene of Thumana and Mamurras it is placed transgresively and angular

displacement over the structure of Kruja area and over the Molasic Miocene of the east wing of

the Tirana syncline.

Starting from the city of Tirana to North-West, Tirana syncline expands and it’s covered with

Quaternary alluvial sediments, which lie horizontally on Molasic Miocene sediments. Quaternary

sediments are represented with more layers combined gravels and sands, which are around 15-20

m thick in Tirana and northward they reach a thickness of 200 m close to the river Mat.

From the west Tirana syncline borders with Preza monocline through an active break of

counterascent type. Eastward, Oligocene flysch deposits sliver and beyond those carbonate-

flysch that build the Dajt anticline (Kruje area).

Dajti anticline is presented in the form of a linear isoclinal, complicated with an active break

counterascent type to the west (Aliaj, 1996; see Fig. 2, Fig. 3).

The city of Tirana takes place in the most southern-east plain, 100-140 m above sea level. From

the east, south and west Tirana plain borders with low hills built from Molasic Miocene

sediments. This field that overrides Tirana syncline presents a similar structure to the grabens,

which borders from the west with Preza counterascent and from the east with Dajti overascent

(Aliaj etc., 2001).

Precisely in this local geological-tectonic context it is located the construction site of this study,

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where the object under consideration will be built in Tirana. Tirana Molassic syncline which

stretches under the Quaternary deposits is caught like in a clamo on both sides through active

overascent breaks. These active breaks are the cause of powerful earthquakes that have hit and

can hit in the near future the area near the construction site.

Oppressive breaks are active to this day, which is evidenced by the earthquakes generated by

them. From Tirana break Earthquakes measuring up to 5.7 in Richter scale and epicenter

intensity up to VII1/2-VIII MSK-64 scale (Aliaj, 1967) have been recorded from Tirana break

area.

2.4.8.3 Seismic activity of the city of Tirana and the surrounding area

The most powerful earthquake that has hit the city of Tirana occurred on 09/01/1988 with magnitude 5.4

and epicenter intensity Io = 7-8 MSK-64.

From the sizmoactive breaks surrounding the area of Tirana many earthquakes have been generated, the

most powerful among those are: the earthquake of 1617 with Io = 8 MSK-64 in Kruje, 08/26/1852 with Io

= 8 in Cape Rodon, 16/05/1860 with Io = 8 in the Beshir bridge, 02/04/1834 with Ms = 5.6 in Ndroq,

08/19/1970 with Ms = 5.5 in Vrap village, 9/16/1975 with Ms = 5.3 in Cape Rodon, 22.11. 1985 Ms = 5.5

in the bay of Drin and 09/01/1988 with Ms = 5.4 in Tirana.

Tirana has been affected by earthquakes with an intensity 7-8 MSK-64 and magnitude up to Ms = 5.7

(Aliaj, 1997). From the sismotectonic standpoint, the city of Tirana might be affected in the future by

earthquakes with Mmax = 5.5 up to 5.9 (Aliaj, 1997), and according the possible maximum earthquakes

map, Tirana is included in the area with Mmax = 5.8 - 6.4 or Mmax = 6.1 + / - 0.3 (Kociaj, 1986).

2.4.8.4 Geotechnical model of the construction site

From the geotechnical model defined by the geological-engineering study conducted by Ing. Geologist

Skender Allkja (2014) it results that in the construction site, have been encountered aluvialo-eluvial

quaternary deposits, terraces of river Tirana and Lana, which overlie to the middle-upper Molasic

Miocene deposits, which come across in the construction site at the depth of 7.00 to 10.00 m, in

condensed form from the surface to the depth of 10.00 m, where the foundamental rock area are present

near the construction site.

As it is seen in the geological-engineering structure of the construction site, deluvialo-eluvial quaternary

deposits are present.

So, in the geological-engineering structure of the construction site are encountered quaternary deposits

and upper Miocene rocks: combination of silts, sandstones and siltstones.

The average speed of transverse waves for the earthy land banks cut, placed on the foundamental rocks, is

calculated by the geotechnical model.

From the geotechnical model the average speed of transverse waves is calculated for the top part of the

cut, as follows: Vs, 30 = 30.00 / 0.0950 =315 m /sec.

The average speed of the earthy deposits package located above the foundamental rocks is: Vs, 20 = 20 /

0.0719 = 278 m / sec.

2.4.8.5 Classification of construction site plot

The construction site, in terms of layers composition, is classified as a plot of II-nd category by the

Albanian Design Code KTP-N.2-89, and based on the average speed of transverse waves for the upper

part of the cut Vs, 30 = 315 m / sec, it is classified a plot of class C according to the Eurocode 8 (EC-

8,2003).

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2.4.8.6 Conclusions

Based on the material covered in this engineering-seismological study for the evaluation of seismic risk

with SHAKE2000 software of the construction site for the extension of Sharra, Tirana landfill, the

following are the main conclusions:

1. The construction site is classified as category II according to KTP-N.2-89, plot of class C

according to The Eurocode 8 (EC-8, 2003).

2. The main seismic risk parameters of the construction site under study under rocky land

conditions (Vs, 30 = 760 m / sec) are: for a recurrence period 475 years: maximal accelerating PGA =

0.267 g, while the spectral acceleration in the period 0.2 sec Sa (0.2 sec) = 0.629 g and for the period 1.0

sec Sa (1.0 sec) = 0.184 g.

3. According to the Albanian Design Code KTP N.2 - 89 the parameters for the specific site are:

intensity 7.5 (MSK-64), plot of category II: kE = 0.165 g, β (T) = 2.0, and the maximum spectral

acceleration, Sa (T) = 0.165 x 2.0 = 0.330 g, TC = 0.4 sec, TD =1.23 sec.

In the format of Albanian Design Code KTP.N2-89 it is possible to represent the elastic spectral of

response based on the dynamic reaction analysis with the program SHAKE2000, the ceiling of the second

layer, depth of 8.00 m, resulting in the value of maximum acceleration 0.534 g for 475 years repetition

period of the earthquake, and TC = 0.40 sec and TD = 1.23 sec.

4. According to the Eurocode 8, elastic spectrum of response resulting for the ceiling of the

second layer at a depth of 8.00 m, is as follows:

For the probability 10% / 50 years for category C of land by EC-8 the following parameters result:

maximum acceleration ao = 0.534 g and maximum spectral acceleration Se (T) = 1.335 g, S = 2.00TB =

12.20 sec, TC = 0.60 sec, and TD = 2.0 sec.

5. To calculate the structure of the object under examination it is recommended using the elastic

response spectrum according to the Eurocode 8 with the parameters that resulted for the ceiling of the

second layer, depth of 8.00 m probability 10% / 50 years (fourth result). If reaction spectrum parameters

are required for other levels of depth we advise to consult with us.

6. An important parameter for dynamic response of the plot are the vibration periods of earth

deposits package located above the foundmentation rocks.

The vibration period of the plot according to the spectral reaction of the spectral acceleration, based on

calculations with SHAKE2000 program at level 8.00 m, second layer ceiling, it is found between the

periods Ts = 0.05 to 0.5 sec.

The predominant vibrating period of the construction site under study according to the formula

TP = 4H/V is TP = 4 x 20/278 = 0.287 sec.

2.4.9 Current network and connectivity of services status

The T.W.T.A. previses the installation of a 15.4MW power plant which will function through the

combustion of waste to be supplied by the district of Tirana. The area where the plant will be built lies

between two 220kV overhead lines, which are built on the same track and with double columns line.

The first line is that of 220kV that emerges from the substation 220/110/35kV Sharra and goes to the

substation 400/220kV Elbasan 2, meanwhile the second line is the line that emerges from the substation

400/220/110 kV Tirana 2 and goes to the substation 400/220kV Elbasan 2.

The connection point is projected to be taken by a splitting to one of these lines and connect the T.W.T.A.

substation with entry-exit. The landfill substation will be a substation 220/35kV, equipped with an

upward transformer 25MVA with tension of 35/220kV.

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On the 35kV side, through a hatch, it will be connected with the energy production generators that are

located in the turbines building. On the 220kV side it will come out with working knifes with keys and

ground knifes. The 220kV side of the substation will be equipped with two pairs of bus bars with two

220kV feeder (entry and exit to be connected with the line that will be split).

Lines feeders will be equipped with line knives, ground knives, discharger, voltage and current

transformer, circuit breaker and double bus bar knives which enable the passage of lines from a pair of

bus bars to another. Lines feeders will be equipped also with the relevant relay protection (according to

TSO standards). Bus bars will be equipped with protection according to international standards. The

substation will have its miniscaden which will communicate in line with the national dispenser center

through optical fibers. In the substation the service building will be placed as well where it will be

installed the relay protection panels, controls, telecommunications and other equipment used for

substation maintenance work.

2.4.10 Availability of access roads

The access to the site is through a rural road which will require expansion and reconstruction. It is also

needed opening of new roads to make the T.W.T.A. site more accessible.

The figure below reflects the top view of the street, location and position where the T.W.T.A. will be

installed.

Figure 11: Plant position and connecting roads

2.5 Stakeholders Engagement in the PPP

In modern technology projects, the stakeholder’s participation is an important factor of success,

though well known to be challenging. Project that fail to address this aspect can frequently face

protests, conflicts and litigation.

“While such projects represent opportunities for creating knowledge, business or societal

benefits from the perspective of the community of driving actors, they often represent a potential

threat to health, safety or prosperity from the perspective of the community of people who

happen to live near the facilities”.

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It appears inevitable that any change to current practices can be perceived as a threat by some

actors that are affected, either directly by the works, or indirectly by modification of the status-

quo.

The Proponent, in close cooperation with the Ministry, will engage in several activities to bring

about the appropriate information, involvement and engagement of the communities. This can be

achieved by the well-known process of “Stakeholder Engagement” that consists in:

identify of the key stakeholder groups, assessing needs and concerns related to the waste

management process (aided by local actors), supporting the formation of organised

groups of involved locals;

set up a mix of formal and informal communication channels, though which

maintaining a mutually credible dialogue;

involve local knowledgeable and respected people with bridging roles;

share openly the information about the nature of the challenges and the proposed

technical solutions;

be present and discuss the effects that the project will bring about in the community;

collect proposal and suggestions to mitigate the perceived adverse effects;

support community projects and actions that will play synergistically with the project

(e.g. counselling for the setup of cooperatives).

All projects generally benefit from these processes. The minimised risk of opposition and

conflicts will be coupled with and increased level of awareness, engagement and empowerment

of local communities. In our case, these benefits will be reflected in better environmental

performance of the whole waste cycle, from waste production through waste collection

(collection of different types of waste, the concept of reuse/recycling) to waste treatment and

disposal.

This task shall guarantee a correct transfer of technologies and training on the job.

2.6 EU framework on waste management

2.6.1 Legal Framework

As addressed in chapter 0 of the report, Albanian Government is undergoing the process of

transposing to Albanian Law the EU directives on Environmental themes and on waste

management.The main EU directives on waste management are listed below:

Directive 1999/33/CE

Decision 2003/33/CE – on Criteria and procedures for the acceptance of waste in

landfill

Decision 2000/532/CE


Directive 2010/75/CE – on incineration of waste



Regulation CEE 1774/2002

Directive 2004/12/CE amending Directive 94/62/CE

Directive 2006/21/CE changes to Regulation CE 596/2009

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Directive 2006/66/CE and

2008/103/CE

Directive 2008/98/EC on

waste (Waste Framework

Directive)

The Directive 2008/98/EC on waste

(Waste Framework Directive) sets the

basic concepts and definitions related to

waste management, such as definitions of

waste, recycling, recovery. It explains

when waste ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material (so called end-of-waste

criteria), and how to distinguish between waste and by-products.

The Directive lays down some basic waste management principles: it requires that waste be

managed without endangering human health and harming the environment, and in particular

without risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, without causing a nuisance through noise or

odours, and without adversely affecting the countryside or places of special interest.

Waste legislation and policy of the EU Member States shall apply as a priority order the

following waste management hierarchy: from prevention to recovery (including recovery of

energy from waste and lastly the disposal of waste

The EU legislation addresses standards and requirements for the design, construction,

performance and management of waste treatment, including the incineration of waste, and

disposal plants. With reference to waste to energy plants and landfills we underline the following

European Directive and Decisions:

Incineration of waste EU framework:

DIRECTIVE 2000/76/CE

DIRECTIVE 2010/75/CE

DECISION 2006/329/CE

Landfilling of waste EU framework:

Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste ;

2.6.2 MSW Production and management in the EU

The MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) production in the EU is a reference benchmark for Albanian,

present and future situation. The analysis of the MSW production and management in the EU is

carried out with reference to the data collected and published by EUROSTAT since 1995.

The data is widely used for comparing municipal waste generation and treatment in different

countries. Indicators on municipal waste are used to monitor European waste policies. The data

on municipal waste expressed in “kilograms per capita” are part of a set of indicators compiled

annually to monitor the EU’ sustainable development strategy.

Figure 12 and 13 show municipal wastes generation by country expressed in kilograms per

capita.

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Per_capita

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To illustrate trends, Table 1 shows waste for selected years, covering the period 1995 to 2014.

For better readability, Figure 12 covers only the years 2004 and 2014. Both include the EU-

27aggregates for comparison. In Figure 1, countries are sorted in decreasing order by municipal

waste generation in 2014.

Figure 12: Kg per year per Capita Production of MSW in EU Countries

For 2014, total municipal waste generation per capita vary considerably by country, ranging

from 759 kg per capita in Denmark to 272 kg per capita in Poland and Romania. The variations

reflect differences in consumption patterns and economic wealth, but also depend on how

municipal waste is collected and managed. There are differences between countries regarding the

degree to which waste from commerce, trade and administration is collected and managed

together with waste from households.

The periods 1995-2004 and 2004-2014 show the following trends in the 31 countries with

complete time series, except for Greece (no data for 1995).

In 17 of the 31 countries, the amount of municipal waste generated per capita increased

between 1995 and 2014. The highest average annual growth rates were recorded for Greece

based on 1996 and 2013 figures (2.3%), Malta (2.2%) and Denmark (2.0%). In 12 countries, the

annual growth rates alternated, with a positive annual growth rate in the first years, descending

and becoming negative in the last ten years.

Of the fourteen countries with an overall decrease from 1995 to 2014, only two (Bulgaria and

Slovenia) showed a decrease both before and after 2004. Bulgaria showed the largest reduction,

with a steady annual average decrease of -2.4%, followed by Slovenia, -1.7% per annum.

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Household

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Figure 13: Kg per year per Capita Production of MSW in EU Countries

From 2004 on, methodologies were finalized in most countries, so the waste generation time

series of 2004 and later is more accurate and stable than that between 1995 and 2003.

Looking at the type of treatment of MSW waste EUROSTAT has conducted statistical analysis

on employed solutions per country in the EU-27 (waste that is landfilled, incinerated, recycled

and composted), from 1995 to 2014.

Figure 14 shows the amount of municipal waste treated in the European Union (EU-27) for the

period 1995 to 2014 by treatment method (landfill, incineration, recycling, composting), in

kg/capita.

Figure 13 shows the type of treatment of MSW in European countries in 2008.

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Figure 14: Municipal waste treatment by type of treatment, EU-27, (kg per capita),

1995 - 2014

Source: Eurostat

Figure 15: Type of treatment in the UE per country year 2008 (EUROSTAT)

Even though more waste is being generated in the EU-27, the total amount of municipal waste

landfilled has diminished. In the reference period, the total municipal waste landfilled in the EU-

27 fell by 78 million ton, or 54%, from 144 million ton (302 kg per capita) in 1995 to 66 million

ton (131 kg per capita) in 2014. This corresponds to an average annual decline of 4.0%. During

the last ten years (2004-2014) landfilling has fallen by as much as 5.6% per year on average.

As a result, the landfilling rate compared with municipal waste generation, in the EU-27 dropped

from 63.8% in 1995 to 27,5% in 2014.

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This reduction can partly be attributed to the implementation of European legislation, for

instance Directive 62/1994 on packaging and packaging waste. By 2001, Member States had to

recover a minimum of 50 % of all packaging put on the market. With the revised recovery target

of 60 % to be achieved by 31 December 2008, there was a further rise in the amount of

packaging waste collected separately.

Furthermore, Directive 31/1999 on landfill stipulated that Member States were obliged to reduce

the amount of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills to 75% by 16 July 2006, to 50%

by 16 July 2009 and to 35% by 16 July 2016.The reduction was calculated on the basis of the

total amount of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995. The Directive has led to

countries adopting different strategies to avoid sending the organic fraction of municipal waste to

landfill, namely composting (including fermentation), incineration and pre-treatment, such as

mechanical-biological treatment (including physical stabilization).

As a result, the amount of waste recycled rose from 25.0 million tonnes (52 kg per capita) in

1995 to 66 million tonnes (132 kg per capita) in 2014 at an average annual rate of 5.2%. The

share of municipal waste recycled overall rose from 11% to 28%.

The recovery of organic material by composting has grown with an average annual rate of 5.3 %

from 1995 to 2014. Recycling and composting together accounted for 44 % of organic material

in 2014, relative to waste generation.

Waste incineration has also grown steadily in the reference period, though not as much as

recycling and composting. Since 1995, the amount of municipal waste incinerated in the EU-27

has risen by 32 million tonnes or 100 % and accounted for 64 million tonnes in 2014. Municipal

waste incinerated has thus risen from 67 kg per capita to 128 kg per capita.

Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) and sorting of waste are not covered directly as

categories in the reporting of municipal waste treatment. These types of pre-treatment require an

additional final treatment. In practice, the amounts delivered to mechanical biological treatment

or sorting should be reported on the basis of the subsequent final treatment steps. However, the

way these amounts are allocated to the four treatment categories (incineration, landfilling,

recycling and composting) varies significantly, and some countries report only on the first (pre-)

treatment step.

With reference to the medium commercial characteristics of MSW in the EU reported by

Eurostat, as shown in the figure below, we have that 30-35% by weight is made from organic

waste (kitchen + garden).

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31994L0062:EN:NOT

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31999L0031:EN:NOT

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Figure 16: MSW composition EU27

2.7 General Technology approach to T.W.T.A.

2.7.1 Sustainable approach

Any complex waste project, such as the MSW management plan for Tirana, is characterized by

interlaced social, technical, environmental and economic aspects, as outlined in the Brundtland

definition:

“Sustainable Development is the development that meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet present and future needs”

• The best solution for the integrated MSW management for the city of Tirana shall therefore

be the one that is:

o Socially sustainable: local stakeholders and communities must benefit from

project, both:

o directly: job creation, skill improvement, women empowerment, support technology

transfer;

o indirectly: improvement of environmental quality, job stabilisation, community

participation;

• Technically sustainable: the construction and

management solutions implemented shall deliver the

required local environmental performance (e.g. air

quality, water quality) and materially contribute to

broader environmental goals (e.g. recovery of

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materials, reductions in Greenhouse Gas emissions);

• Economically sustainable: the project, if properly managed, shall make the most efficient

use of the available financial resources and play the role of a growth engine for greater value

creation (e.g. improving the citizens’ willingness-to-pay through the tangible improvement in

urban quality).

During the feasibility study, in the first phase of the project, the different technical options have

been carefully and objectively assessed against these criteria, in order to deliver the most

appropriate and sustainable solution, which shall be:

• Liveable

• Equitable

• Viable

The proposing Consortium will design, construct and operate the new waste treatment & disposal

facilities (T.W.T.A.) in accordance with international standards and regulations. The proponent

shall refer particularly to:

Albanian Legislation on waste management and environment

UE Directive 2008/98/CE – Framework on waste management

IFC/WB Standards on waste management end Environmental, Health, and Safety

guidelines

World Bank Operational Manual, Operational Policies O.P. 4.01 (January 1999)

defines Environmental Impact Assessment

The above regulations & standards will be considered as a framework and benchmark for the full

MSW management process and the related technical and environmental required performances:

this will hold from the collection system through the construction and environmental standards

of waste treatment plants and landfilling.

2.7.2 Best practices on Waste Management in medium income countries

The sustainable management of Municipal Solid Waste in medium income countries is a

complex challenge, which involves social, technical and economic aspects. Recent studies

consistently highlighted that the key factors behind unsustainable MSW management practices

include poor planning and monitoring, low collection efficiencies, financial constraints, low

waste collection fees, lack of skills and capabilities.

Different MSW treatment and management technologies have already been suggested and

recommended over the course of the years and across different geographies. As studies have

extensively demonstrated, the multi-disciplinary nature of the problem calls for an integrated

approach which goes beyond the individual technology: there is no “silver bullet” waste

treatment solution able to address the MSW management.

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The following guiding principles have been discussed and recommended, to shape the evolution

of a MSW management system8:

• social inclusion: usually, there is already a whole ecosystem of collection, recycling and

disposal players operating around a non-sanitary landfill. These players, their skills and

local knowledge are a fundamental platform for the growth of a more sustainable MSW

management system, which also represent an opportunity to generate revenues for local

communities;

• gradual approach: for the same reason, it is advisable to build incrementally from the

local state-of-the art;

o focus on long-term sustainability: many projects failed after the external support

agencies ceased their support. The projects must be designed to be self-sufficient

across several dimensions:

o economical: effective tax collection; efficient use of available resources. The goals is

to implement a self-financing system;

o technical: chosen technologies suitable to local operation and maintenance;

o human: skills to be developed locally.

2.7.3 European best practice on MSW and treatment methods

Given that the project goals is that of the treatment and disposal of the total production of MSW

waste from the city of Tirana while defining the best solution to adopt we have referred to best

practices of other EU countries.

In Germany the MSW collection and

treatment system is organized in 3 main

stream components: the recyclable

materials, the organic and the residual

fraction. The 3 components are

generally addressed to technological

facilities for sorting/selection,

composting and disposal (disposal is

intended as incineration or landfilling).

In Italy the management of the MSW is

generally addressed with a door to door

separate collection of the recyclable

material in separate fractions. These

materials are sent to the recycling

consortiums. In most municipalities there is a separate collection of the organic fraction that is

addressed to stabilization plants and landfills or composting facilities. The system is completed

by incineration of the residual waste with production of energy or landfilling of the residual

waste.

8Hisashi Ogawa, WHO Western Pacific Regional Environmental Health Centre (EHC). “Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Developing

Countries”

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3. CONSTRUCTIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

OF THE T.W.T.A.

3.1 General description

Given the EU and Albanian framework on MSW and Inert waste in terms of quantity of waste

produced, management best practice and legislation and given the goals of European Directives

and local legislation the concessionaire project of the T.W.T.A. (Tirana Waste Treatment Area)

is aimed at the construction of an integrated WASTE treatment facility.

The project location occupies an area of 90 Hectares and involves a series of infrastructures

necessary for the integrated management of the MSW.

The project has been introduced in chapter 2.3.

The different technologies and installations foreseen in the Integrated T.W.T.A. are prevised and

dimensioned to address the management and treatment of the district solid waste (inert and urban

waste (MSW)) produced in the district of Tirana. The T.W.T.A. is designed to receive and treat

or dispose 550 to 800 ton/day of waste at the beginning of the operation (Year 1) and is able to

accept higher quantities if needed within the time span of the concession and in case of an

increase of the production of waste in the district.

The installations foreseen are:

Lot A – The existing Sharra Landfill

Lot B – Urban Solid Waste landfill

Lot C – Waste to Energy Plant

Lot D – Recycling and Stabilization plant

Lot E – Leachate treatment plant

Lot F – Landfill for Ash & Industrial waste

Lot G – Landfill for Inert Waste

Lot H – Landfill for Inert Waste

The general layout of the T.W.T.A. is reported in Table 8 and 9 and in the following figure.

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Figure 17:T.W.T.A. Site layout plan (Table 8-9)

The urban waste processing plant, thermovalorization plant, will be composed of four (4)

separate processing lines. The processing capacity of each line will be of 230 tons/day. The 4

lines will be built in sequence; the first line is prevised to be operational in the eighteenth (18th

)

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month of concession. The second line of the WTE plant is expected to be operational in the 36th

(thirty six) month, the third line in the 50th

(fiftieth) month. The last line is planned to be

operational before the 72 (seventy two) month. Each line will have a capacity of 230 tons/day

and in total the four lines a capacity of 920 tons/day.

At the same time the construction of a system of landfills is scheduled to guarantee the disposal

of the whole production of waste and the final closure of the existing Landfill. The new landfills

will be built according to modern EU standards and Albanian Legislation and will be prevised

for different types of waste.

The first module of the first landfill will be operational within 6 months from the start of the

concession. This first landfill with a volume of 1.67 million m3 is expected to be for municipal

solid waste. It is planned for longevity of 6 to 10 years, and will allow from the sixth month of

operation of the concession, after the closure of the existing landfill, the disposal of municipal

waste in compliance with regulation.

The construction of a top sealing system and biogas capture plant for the existing landfill of

Sharra will definitely resolve the topic of the operation of a non-compliant landfill in Tirana and

its possible environmental negative effects.

The T.W.T.A. will have other landfills planned for the disposal of the ashes from the WTE

facility and inert waste.

The landfill for the disposal of the ashes generated by the WTE installation will have the

capacity of 1.8 million m3 and is designed for a projected longevity of 40 (forty) years.

In addition to these modules 2 further landfills are prevised to receive inert and non-recyclable

solid materials with a total capacity of 900,000 m3 and a longevity 40 (forty) years.

The T.W.T.A. has prevised also a recycling and differentiation area, a stabilization plant and a

leachate treatment plant.

The construction of the waste recycling and differentiation plant is quite essential because it

performs a selection of the incoming waste. The main objective is to generate a refined waste

with optimum calorific power for the WTE. The construction of this plant will begin with the

implementation of this project and will have a capacity of 550-800 tons/day. The plant will have

a combination of mechanic and manual sorting and will provide additional benefit with regards

to recyclable material such as, metal, glass, plastic.

The manual sorting will enhance the activation of the workforce in this project.

It is prevised the installation of a stabilization plant for Organic Fraction of the Waste (FOS) that

will be directed to the landfill and guarantee a more sustainable disposal criteria.

The T.W.T.A. will have a leachate treatment plant of the capacity of 400 m3/day that will serve

for processing the leachate/wastewaters from the existing Landfill and from the new landfills.

This plant is designed to guarantee the discharge of the leachate within EU standards on

industrial wastewater.

The plant is completed by all the functional installation such as roads, offices, and the substation

for the connection to the existing national network.

The concept of this project is the first of its kind in the country that combines the management of

district solid waste (inert and urban waste (MSW)) with benefit in energy production. It should

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be emphasized that this project is superior in comparison with the directly waste disposal in the

landfill, in environmental terms but also in economic terms. The primary objective has to do with

a better MSW management, the longevity utilization of the storage areas and the conversion to

energy.

3.2 The steps and phases of construction

The construction of the T.W.T.A.and all its installations will take 70 months. The phases of the

construction are illustrated in Tables 10 to 16.

The operation will start with the construction of a first sanitary landfill, a first line of the

thermovalorization plant, the sorting and recycling facility and the leachate treatment plant.

The 7 phases of construction and operation can be summarized in 3 main steps (Figure 18). A

first step of 2 years during which the concessionaire will be focused on the closing of the present

Sharra landfill, the construction of a new landfill compliant to European standards and the

construction of the first line of the thermovalorization Plant and the construction of the leachate

treatment plant. This first step is prevised to take 22 months.

This first step will be able to bridge a first gap of the present MSW system to EU Standards. By

the end of the first phase the MSW will be partially sorted, partially recovered in a WTE

production plant and the rest will be landfilled.

A second step will be focused on the managing of the T.W.T.A. operations, the construction of a

second line of WTE, the construction of a landfill for the disposal of the Ash and a landfill for

inert waste.

By the end of the second step (Month 37) the T.W.T.A. will be operational with the following

main installations:

Lot Status end of Step 2

Lot A – The existing Sharra Landfill Finally closed

Lot B – Municipal Solid Waste landfill Operational first cell

Lot C – Thermovalorization 2 lines operational with capacity of 460 ton

/ day

Lot D – Recycling and Stabilization plant Operational

Lot E – Leachate treatment plant Operational with a capacity of 400 m3/day

Lot F – Landfill for Ash & Industrial waste Operational (First cell)

Lot G – Landfill for Inert Waste Operational (First Cell)


Figure 18: Status T.W.T.A. at end of step 2

A third step, up to month 63,will be focused on upgrading the sorting facility to optimize CDR

production on energy production from incineration of waste and the construction of a

composting plant for the organic part of the waste produced.

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The conceptual approach is indicated in the figure below. All the process must be conducted in

observance to EU e local legislation on Waste Management.

Figure 19: Steps of construction of the T.W.T.A. (Table 10-16)

The leachate treatment plant will be capable to treat the leachate produced by the existing

Landfill and the new landfills; the treatment capacity is estimated 400 m3 per day.

During step 4, from month 63, most of the installations will be completed and operational and

the project will be focused on the implementation of the best practice in environmental

operational procedures and the development of new technologies for treatment.

In practice in the 3 phases the concessionaire shall do the following tasks:

By the end of the third step (Month 63) the T.W.T.A. will be operational with the following main

installations:

Lot Status end of Step 3

Lot A – The existing Sharra Landfill finally closed

Lot B – Municipal Solid Waste landfill Operational with a capacity of 1,67 Million

m3

Lot C – Thermovalorization 3 lines operational with capacity of 690 ton

/ day

Lot D – Recycling and Stabilization plant Operational

Lot E – Leachate treatment plant Operational with a capacity of 400 m3/day

Lot F – Landfill for Ash & Industrial waste Operational with capacity of 1,89 million

m3

STEP 1

Month 22

• closure the existing Sharra landfill

• upgrading EU compliant treatment facility

• construction of the firs lot of MSW landfill compliant to present legislation

• construction of a selection plant

• construct the first line of WTE with a potentiality of 230 ton/day

• construction of leachate treatment plant

STEP 2

Month 37

• construct a landfill for non hazardous waste for the ash of the WTE with a module for hazardous waste

• build a second and a third line of Waste to Energy Plant (230 ton/day each)

• build a landfill for inert waste

STEP 3

Month 63

• managing the MSW tratment facility

• upgrading the selection plant and introducing a composting unit for the organic waste

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Lot G – Landfill for Inert Waste Operational with capacity of 0,4 million m3

Lot H – Landfill for Inert Waste Operational with capacity of 0,4 million m3

Figure 20: Status T.W.T.A. at end of step 3

The timing of construction and operation of each single lot of the T.W.T.A. facility is illustrated

in the table below.

Figure 20a: Timing of construction (orange) and operation (blue) of the facility

3.3 Operation of the T.W.T.A. with regards to the different types of waste

treated

The treatment facility is planned to accept all inert and urban waste arriving from the District of

Tirana.

As to the classification of waste the T.W.T.A. is designed to accept municipal solid waste and

inert waste.

The T.W.T.A. is designed to receive and treat from 550 to 800 ton/day of waste at the

beginning of the operation (Year 1) and is able to accept higher quantities if needed within

the time span of the concession and in case of an increase of the production of waste in the

district of Tirana.

The T.W.T.A. plant will be operated in compliance to the best standards. The incoming waste

will be classified, each truck will be weighed and the waste will be sent to different destinations

with regards to it nature and characteristics.

The logical flow of the incoming waste in the T.W.T.A. is illustrated in the figure below.

YEAR 10 20 30 30 plus

Month 6 12 16 22 30 36 37 48 50 60 63 72 120 240 360

Nr. Months 6 6 4 6 8 6 1 11 2 10 3 9 48 120 120

MAIN STEPS OF CONSTRUCTION

Lot A – The existing Sharre Landfill

Disposal

Closure

Lot B – Urban Solid Waste landfill

Construction Module 1

Construction module 2+

Disposal of Waste

Lot C – Waste to Energy Plant

Line 1 construction

Line 2 construction

Line 3 Construction

Line 4 Construction

Tratment of waste

Lot D – Recycling and Stabilization plant

Construction

Treatment of waste

Lot E – Leachate treatment plant

Construction

Treatment of wastewater

Lot F – Landfill for Ash & Industrial waste

Construction

Disposal of ASH

Lot G – Landfill for Inert Waste

Construction

Disposal of Inert waste


Construction

Disposal of Inert waste

MAIN STEPS OF CONSTRUCTION

1 2 3 4 5

STEP 1 - MONTH 22 STEP 2 - MONTH 37 STEP 3 - MONTH 63 STEP 4 - YEAR 30

STEP 1 - MONTH 22 STEP 2 - MONTH 37 STEP 3 - MONTH 63 STEP 4 - YEAR 30

6

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Figure 21: Conceptual flow of different waste in the T.W.T.A.

The waste from demolition and construction (Inert Waste) is sent directly to the landfill for inert

waste (Lot F and G).

Municipal waste will undergo a manual pre-selection through which the operators will remove

the ferrous materials to be sent to recycling as well as the bulky waste: mattresses, tires, and

other.

The ferrous material will go to recycling while the bulky waste will be sent to the landfill for

non-hazardous waste (Lot B).

The pre-treated municipal solid waste will then be sent to a selection plant described in detail in

the following paragraphs.

The treatment plant will have mechanical and manual selection and will be able to select ferrous

and not-ferrous material, as well as previses the manual selection of glass, plastic, paper and

aluminum, all of these materials will be sent to recycling.

The remaining waste will continue in the process line passing through a rotating sieving section

which will be able to separate the material greater than 60 mm, called dry waste, from the

material smaller than 60 mm, mainly composed by wet organic waste.

The material with smaller dimensions will go to the landfill after a process of stabilization. This

is non-hazardous waste and will go to (Lot B).

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The material with greater dimensions is sent to thermovalorization plant for electrical and heat

production through incineration.

The Ash generated from its combustion in thermovalorization plant will be disposed of in a

landfill for non-hazardous waste (Lot F). Lot F will have a cell for hazardous waste that might be

generated in the process of incineration.

All wastewater, leachate from the landfills or from the thermovalorization plant will be sent to

the leachate treatment plant.

3.4 Technical description of the WTE

3.4.1 The technological choice for the waste treatment

Based on the technology choice, arises the aspiration to realize a plant that will produce

electricity through MSW (Municipal Solid Waste).

The technology which allows the incineration of waste “as it is”, as well as of those selected

(CDR), within a calorific power interval (from 1600 to 3500 kcal/kg), is that of the thermal

destruction through the grill furnaces and it is this specific technology that we are presenting.

The plant will produce electricity through a thermal cycle with steam (Rankine cycle) through

the combustion of MSW’s.

The considered process is that of thermal treatment (thermodestruction): at the same time the

complete combustion will be achieved (therefore a total and fast oxidation) of the organic

fractions, in the presence of a necessary quantity of air to obtain the completely oxidized

products.

The total amount of MSW treated by the 4 lines will be about 900 t / day.

In order to improve the intervention typology, as a solution is prevised a thermo-electric power

plant with 4 combustion lines of the same potential, each line able to treat 220 ÷ 230 t/day MSW.

It is predicted an electrical output of 3.85 MWe per line for a total of 15.4 MWe. Except of being

an approach, which is used in combustion thermovalorizators of moderately large dimensions,

this approach with multi lines is characterized by a number of advantages.

The availability of four lines of combustion allows a better management of the entire plant

because in the programming of maintenance interventions will be acted cyclically on a single

line: by doing so also during the programmed maintenance, the plant will maintain the ability to

achieve thermodestruction of 75% of the nominal capacity and at the same time to hold an

electricity production of 75% of the nominal. Providing a single-line operation for about 7.500-

7.800 hours/year and with full power (15.4 MWe) for 7000-8000 hours/year. This will allow the

plant to be able always to incinerate the biggest part of MSW, avoiding large accumulation of

materials for long periods.

In addition, single units with minimal power, characterized by lower inertia thermal, represent a

shorter shutdown and reboot time. Consequently the transistors result inferior in reaching the

nominal work load thus resulting in reduced deadlines to meet the relative legal limits of

emissions to air, provided by the legislation in force.

The project for the completion of four lines of treatment is forecasted in a span of 5/6 years as

discussed in the previous chapters.

Most important, this will allow to have a primary manufacturing and operational line in a short

time (realization of a single large combustion plant would require longer time frames than those

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needed for a dedicated reduced power line) and secondly, it will enable to test the project and

where necessary to have space for future improvements.

Maximum standardization in the design and construction of the four lines would also allow an

optimal management of stored spare parts and those that get consumed, securing a rich and full

storage, which would allow emergency maintenance intervention in a quick time and easier and

faster management of the planned routine maintenance.

The management structure of plant governance and maintenance will benefit positively as well

from basic installment of combustion with many lines. Local staff will support the technical staff

during implementation and commissioning phases and will be ready for commissioning of the

first line. Implementation of the first line will be also a training area for personnel assigned to the

successive lines guaranteeing an extensive training in this area and to allow having a properly

trained staff since the very first hour of commissioning of the successive lines. Management of

staff, adjustment of shifts or substitutions in case of illness or holidays, will be facilitated by this

basic environment.

All of this without adding the complexity of the plant management. The use of modern

distributed systems of control (DSC) with a high reliability and frequent inspections will allow

supervising the activities of the plant in a centralized manner and will allow monitoring the

activity of all lines from a control room.

3.4.2 Description of operation

For each line, MSW’s will be incinerated on a movable grille and the heat derived from the

combustion gas will be collected through a water-tube furnace able to produce the superheated

steam needed for the turbine. The superheated steam will feed a steam turbine, which by towing

an alternator will be able to generate around 3.85 MWe gross for each line and 15.4 MWe in

total with a voltage equal to 6.3 kVolt.

Figure 22: Main outline/scheme of a thermovalorizator plant line

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The entire electricity produced will be sold on the grid. In a very simplified way we are

presenting the principle of the plant operation.

For the description of the acceptance procedures of the waste see chapter 3.3. After undergone

the selection, the gross part of the waste will be transported by truck to the collection pits of the 4

lines of the thermovalorizators.

The collection pit is composed of concrete and metal structure, with internal gasket in order to

avoid the leakage of fluids. The upper part is provided with a bridge crane system, programmed

to mix, divide in small parts, and finally to supply the furnace.

The entire system will be provided with an air suction system in order to avoid pollution of the

external environment. The volume of the collection pit will be 1,300 m3 for each line and 5,200

m3

in total.

The furnace structure: made of steel, consisting of a control, level and vibration system, to avoid

blockages or bonds in its interior, thus facilitating the drop of the load in the rack. The rack

equipped with a piston, modulates the entry of the material inside the furnace itself and

distributes it in the movable grill.

The chemical energy contained in the MSW’s, into the combustion chamber, is transformed into

heat and accompanied by fumes that it produces.

Fumes, at a temperature of about 950 - 1000°C, cross the furnace transferring their energy

directly into the water flowing inside the tubes of furnace dock that provides a temperature at the

entrance of the economizer module of about 105°C, which is transformed into a saturated steam

and then overheated (390°C and 41 barA).

Overheated steam is directed into the necessary machinery (steam turbine) in which the steam

energy is transformed into mechanical energy. The turbine mechanical energy is transformed

into electricity by the action of an alternator. A steam leak from the turbine allows the release of

the required heat for the process itself (air heat with combustion and water degassing process).

At the end of the steam distribution into the turbine outlet, the steam condenses and turns into

liquid stage through a condensation system. The condensed water is sent to the degasser where

oxygen and carbon anhydride is eliminated. From the degasser, using a pumping system, the

water is pushed toward the economizer and the cycle restarts.

Meanwhile, the fumes transmit their thermal energy into the water and the saturated steam

consequently reducing their temperature. Once transmitted through the filtration system

(consisting of a cyclone and a sleeve filter) those can be sent to the chimney and into the

atmosphere. In the chimney, all the parameters prescribed by the European norms are constantly

measured and monitored.

The fumes exit the generator with an expected temperature round 160° C and enter the treatment

line (fumes treatment).

The fumes treatment system is made of three sections: a cyclone to remove powder and

particulate, a purification system with semi-dry lime injection slaved to a sleeve filter, to remove

acids components and metals.

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The fumes condensing system is made of a purification system with semi-dry lime injection

slaved to a sleeve filter , with a two-stage scrubber as finisher , in line with the Best Available

Technologies.

The fumes treatment plant is followed by a tail fan and chimney 24 m high.

The fumes treatment system will operation in conformity with standards and Directives CE

76/2000, and is in line with the best international standards. It has a DeNOx SNCR, in line with

EU standards to guarantee the present limit of 200 mg/m3 of NOx in emissions.

The emission monitoring system is compliant to international standards and with UNI EN

1418:2005 and previses the monitoring of NOx, SOx and CO and dust particles. The emission

monitoring system is capable of monitoring the acid gas HCl and HF with FTIR (infra red and

Fourier transformed).

The fumes treatment section previses the installation of a condensation system with air cooling

towers, with relative water circulation pumps, condensate extraction pumps and vacuum pumps.

Combustion brings to the production of ash at the rate of 20%/25% in weight to the waste

burned. The produced ash is of two types:

- Heavy ash which is more voluminous and collected by the hydraulic carriers situated

under the grill/ combustion chamber which is below the furnace:

this ash accumulates inside containers awaiting final destination.

- Dry ash, less voluminous and thinner, coming out from the filtration system and through

a system is collected in collection bags or bins with such composition that avoid

dispersion into the environment.

The chosen technology for the electricity production starts with the collection of MSW’s and

consists of a combustion process in the furnace with the recovery in order to achieve the Rankine

cycle. The furnace with recovery is designed by changing appropriately the grill surface and the

volume of the combustion chamber in order to improve combustion in the presence of fuel with

diverse moisture and ensuring appropriate residence time for fumes in the room with T> 940-

980°C with the appropriate concentration of O2. The regulation meanwhile, allows O2 values to

be held between 8% and 9%, with 6% alarm limit. In addition to surfaces and volumes (for loads

with low thermal value), the furnace is characterized by the use of ambient air and floating fume

for combustion optimization. Through a proper management of the quantity and typology of the

combustion area, it is possible to guarantee compliance with the parameters of CO and NOx

emissions required by current regulations. At the outlet of the furnace, aiming to increase

efficiency, an economizers is placed to further recover the heat presented in the smoke reducing

the temperature from 300°C down to about 170-175°C by heating the water that supplies the

furnace from 105°C at the degasser outlet up to 190°C.

The management of the combustion areas is achieved through a supervisory and controller

system that operates at the fans regulation inverters. The selected fans are characterized by

blades with an aerodynamic profile, to guarantee a higher efficiency. Using inverter at the

engines allows among other things the optimization of the machinery operating point increasing

productivity.

The selected turbine is of a multistage with condensation and not adjustable release type.

Choosing to have the needed amount of steam for the cycle from a turbine flow allows the

optimization of the cycle efficiency. By doing so, all of the heated steam produced in the furnace

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enters the turbine generating maximum mechanical strength. Even the low pressure area of the

turbine is crossed by maximum steam flow.

At the end, in order to maximize enthalpic growth and consequently the production of electricity

(or in other words the cycle efficiency), it is chosen to produce steam at high enthalpic features

and to be released from the turbine under low pressure (0,10 barA). The maximum electric

power in the generator bushings is equal to 3.85MWe for each line and 15.4 MWe in total for the

four lines.

The regulation of the whole cycle is performed through an advanced surveillance system able to

allow control of all parameters of the plant with maximum precision. The surveillance system

allows to control all four thermovalorizator lines from the same control point.

As follows are shown main technical characteristics for a line of thermovalorizator, highlighting

that this thermavalorizator is made of four lines.

Description Unit Quantity

Waste treated t/a – T/day 72.000 / 200/220

PCI medium kJ/kg - kcal/kg 8790 – 2100

Working hours (year) H 8.000

Waste treated per hour t/h 7,5

Thermic capacity MWt 18,4

Electric Output MWe 3,85

Furnace efficiency ήt 0,87

Steam temperature °C 390

Steam pressure Bar 41

Nominal steam

production kg/h 21.300

Electrical efficiency ήe 0,23

Fumes production kg/h 47.250

Figure 23: Main Characteristics of each line of thermovalorization plant

3.4.3 Construction of the thermovalorization plant (WTE)

This technical description is intended to define the main construction works related to the

thermovalorizator plant prevised.

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Elements of the foundation for the formation of plinth and parterre supporting plan, will be

realized with non-structural concrete with resistance category C12/15 (Rck> 15 N/mm2),

sustainability category S4, exposure category XO and maximum aggregate diameter of 32 mm,

in accordance with regulations UNI EN 206-1, UNI 11104 and DM 14.01.2008.

The foundation structures of separate buildings that make up the plant will be realized with

concrete of category C28/35 or higher. Structural typology will fall mainly on the type of plateau

type foundations, so that loads are distributed on a larger area and have less impact on the terrain

resistant capacity.

On the ground zero of the project all the modules of the plant will be connected by a single

plateau-like with concrete reinforced, with the ability to interconnect every barracks in order to

form a single cover for storage and selection of solid urban waste.

Areas in direct contact with the waste, evaporative towers tanks and reinforced concrete areas

near the waste pool will require concrete to be more additive in order to make the foundation

impermeable from the inside - out and vice versa. In particular it is required a greater resistance

category C28/35, a concrete type II Al - Br II (42.5), an environmental exposure class XA3, a

ratio of water/concrete of 0.45 maximum, a minimum content of cement 300 kg/m3 one stability

category of S4 and a nominal 50 mm iron coating. Isolation during the casting stages and

technological holes in the walls that come from molds should be duly closed with impenetrable

repair plaster specifically for this work.

Concrete castings will require impermeability solutions, thus placing waterproof elements.

All concrete formworks will be B450C steel type with improved adherence, soldered with

manufacturer’s brand and form preparers. Rod diameters will be between ф6 of ф40.

In the foundation areas minimal reinforcement’s jointures will be provided at 80 ф. It is

forbidden to heat the bars for folding and bending the rods.

All molds should be placed and fastened by means of beams and iron bars, guaranteeing

minimum iron coverage required by use of appropriate distancing tools. Molds should have a

cleaned and polished exposed surface against casting as not to cause problems during their

removal.

For areas covered with earth and with concrete walls until reaching project ground zero will be

realized. In each area access will be able via stairs and/or catwalks for maintenance and control.

Structures off the ground mainly works in metal carpentry, S275JR steel, treated with sand

trading Sa 2 ½ and painted with RAL 9005 paint, with the exception of the structure of the

evaporative towers that must be galvanized because of exposure to vapors.

All structures in carpentry will be connected to the earth through joints embedded with plate

welded to the poles, tied with bolts embedded in reinforced concrete foundations. Plates will be

raised about 10-15 cm above compared with the foundation plan to allow adjustment of the quota

by adjusting base plate without structural function during assembly of carpentry operations. This

space will then be filled with plaster with high resistance to traction offset, in order to not leave

air bubbles in contact with the tablets of the pillars.

Regarding the bolts, reference will be made to UNI ISO 5587-5588-5589 respectively for high -

medium – low screw.

All the excavation works, earth shifting and filling should follow the geological presented

instructions.

In particular for the excavation walls the inclination presented in the geological report of the

defined area cannot be exceeded. Otherwise the holding systems must be provided for the safety

of workers.

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Filling works will require compressing the earth with layers

of 30 cm maximum thickness with compressor roller.

During the subsequent phase, measures will be taken to

pave one layer stabilizer from the quarries spread according

to the project inclination and compacted with a roller.

The pavements will be finished with the laying of bitumen

conglomerate (binder) with an 8 cm thickness, paved with

paver according to the project levels, with bitumen

conglomerate carpet of 5.5% bitumen 80/100-180/200, with

a closed granulometry mass up to 15 mm, including

compressing up to total obturation and completed thickness

of 40 mm. On the sides of the road it is provided to place

borders of trapezoidal section.

The main components of the WTE are the furnace, the

boiler, the turbine and the emission treatment section. These

will be constructed by international manufacturers and will be compliant to EU standards.

3.5 Design, Construction and operations of the Landfills

3.5.1 Legal Framework and standards

The EU Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste sets standards for the

construction and management and closure and after-care procedures of landfills of different

classes.

Annex I of the directive sets the “General requirements for all classes of landfills”.

Annex II sets the standards on “waste acceptance criteria procedures”.

Annex III describes the “control and monitoring procedures in operation and after-care phases.

Article 4 of the Directive defines Landfill’s for Inert, Non-Hazardous, Hazardous Waste, as

according to Article 6 of Directive 1999/31/EU different types of waste can be landfilled in each

of the above categories of landfills.

The EU directive previses that member states shall take measures in order that only waste that

has been subject to treatment is landfilled (Art.6).

The Directive has been transposed to Albanian Law with the Decision of the Council of

Ministers, No 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills of waste”.

3.5.2 General description of Sanitary landfills

A sanitary controlled landfill must be addressed both to the technological plant with all the

infrastructures and pollution control needed to guarantee the performance and also to

environmental protection required by modern standards.

In general sanitary landfills are constructed with environmental protections systems that are

described below. All the items must be addressed to in a correct design and construction of a

sanitary landfill according to the characteristics of the type of landfill (Inert/Non

Hazardous/Hazardous) and on the composition and geotechnical characteristics of the waste.

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Watertight bottom and sides lining

The site will be prepared with excavations, digging

and profiling according to the technical

specifications set forth in the Tender documents.

The bottom and the sides of the landfill cell(s) shall

become completely watertight, to prevent the

release of pollutants into the soil and groundwater

bodies

The result will be obtained with the deployment of

impermeable materials such as clay and / or artificial materials such as geo-textiles.

The exact choice of lining material and techniques will result from a technical

analysis, based on local geology, geometry of the site, budget constraints.

Leachate collection

The organic components in the MSW mass will

start degrading quickly after disposal; in this

process, biogas (see following paragraph) and

leachate are produced. Also, part of the rainfall can

infiltrate the landfill body, adding to leachate

quantities to be dealt with.

The generated leachate will be collected through a

network of drains and pipes, with suitable layout

and mechanical characteristics, laid in the landfill cells before the start of waste

disposal.

Capping

The waste mass shall be covered daily, after

disposal (daily cover). When landfilling is

concluded at a cell, the whole cell shall be covered

and sealed (final capping).

The closure of the landfill has environmental

purposes, including:

reduction of fugitive gas emissions (odours, greenhouse gas, risk of combustion)

reduction of rainfall infiltration into the waste mass, with consequent reduction in

leachate quantities

stability of the waste mass

environmental restoration of the site

Landfill Gas collection and flaring

During the degradation of organic waste, Landfill

Gas (LFG) is produced – a gas mixture with

mainly methane CH4 and Carbon dioxide CO2 .

LFG is a combustible gas with powerful

Page 48 of 125


greenhouse effect, which shall be burnt to avoid climate change emissions.

LFG is collected through a network of suitable pipes, installed in the MSW mass. The

gas flows from the waste mass into the pipes.

LFG is sucked outside the waste mass through a

pumping station and sent to a high temperature

torch for destruction.

If the technical-economic conditions are

favourable (quality of gas, price of electricity), the

available LFG can be used in a CHP unit to

generate heat and electricity.

3.5.3 Technical description of the landfills

As seen in the previous chapters the MSW treatment facility of Tirana will have different types

of new landfills. The area must be granted with a landfill for the disposal of MSW, a landfill for

the disposal of ASH from electricity waste and 2 landfills for Inert Waste. All these landfills will

have different dimensions and will be designed build and managed according to the requirements

of EU Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 and the Decision of the Council of Ministers,

No 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills of waste”.

The following table reports the volume of the different landfills, the type of waste that shall be

disposed and the classification of the landfill according to Art.6 of EU Directive 1999/31/EC.

The shape and positions of the landfills area illustrated in Table 8 & 9.

Type of

Waste Classification

Volume

m3 Surface m2

Landfill B MSW Non Hazardous 1.67

million 83.400

Landfill F Ash

Non Hazardous

(with cell for

Hazardous)

1.96

million 97.900

Landfill G Inert Inert 0.48

Million 24.100

Landfill H Inert Inert 0.43

Million 21.600

Figure 24: Landfill Geometry

The landfills volume has been estimated considering a thickness of the embankment of waste of

20 meters.

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The landfills are positioned in a hilly area, and for each landfill or cell the construction will result

in the following major works:

Earthworks for the Excavation and modelling of the disposal area;

Construction of containment slopes in earthworks;

Construction of “Geological Barrier” and bottom sealing;

Construction of the leachate collection and extraction system;

Construction of monitoring system

Top sealing system and Biogas extraction.

3.5.3.1 Earthworks for the Excavation and modelling of the disposal areas

Table 8 & 9 show the extension and position of each landfill prevised for the T.W.T.A. facility.

The position of the landfills has been selected to reduce environmental impact and to minimize

the excavation works necessary to construct the pit.

Table xxx shows cross-cutting of prevised landfills, extension of expected earthworks and shape

of waste landfilling area. The frequency of earthworks for each landfill is reported in the table

below.

Type of

Waste

Volume excavated

m3

Maximum

height m Surface m2

Landfill B MSW 500.000 5 83.400

Landfill F Ash 400.000 5 97.900

Landfill G Inert 150.000 5 24.100

Landfill H Inert 150.000 5 21.600

Figure 25: Landfill earthworks

3.5.4 Protection of soil & water – geological barrier an top sealing

3.5.4.1 Geological Barrier and bottom sealing

The geological barrier of the different Landfills will be designed and constructed in compliance and

according to the minimum requirements described in EU Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 and

the Decision of the Council of Ministers, No. 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills of waste”.

Annex I of the directive sets the “General requirements for all classes of landfills” and defines the

geological barrier in accordance to each type of Landfill as to Article 4 of the Directive.

Annex I point 3 (Protection of soil and water) defines the performance of the geological barrier for the

different types of landfills:

3.2 The geological barrier is determined by geological and hydrogeological conditions below and

in the vicinity of a landfill site providing sufficient capacity to prevent a potential risk to soil and

groundwater. The landfill base and sides shall consist of a mineral layer which satisfies

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permeability and thickness requirements with a combined effect in terms of protection of soil,

groundwater and surface water at least equivalent to the one resulting from the following

requirements:

- Landfill for hazardous waste : K ≤ 1.0 × 10 - 9 m/s; thickness ≥ 5 m;

- Landfill for non-hazardous waste : K ≤ 1.0 × 10 - 9 m/s; thickness ≥ 1 m;

- Landfill for inert waste: K ≤ 1.0 × 10 - 7 m/s; thickness ≥ 1 m.

m/s: meter/second

If the geological barrier does not exist naturally, Directive provides that it can be constructed

artificially and for Non Hazardous and Hazardous landfills the Directive foresees in addition an

artificial sealing liner with leachate collection system.

Where the geological barrier does not naturally meet the above conditions it can be

completed artificially and reinforced by other means giving equivalent protection.

Artificially established geological barriers should be not less than 0.5 meters thick.

3.3 In addition to the geological barrier described above a leachate collection and sealing

system must be added in accordance with the following principles so as to ensure that

leachate accumulation at the base of the landfill is kept to a minimum:

Leachate collection and bottom sealing

Landfill Category

Non-

hazardous

waste

Hazardous

waste

Artificial sealing liner required required

Drainage layer ≥ 0,5m required required

According to the above criteria the different types of landfills prevised in the MSW treatment

facility of Tirana will have the following construction requirements:

Type of

Waste Classification

Geological

Barrier

Sealing Liner and

Leachate

collection

Landfill B MSW Non

Hazardous

k ≤ 1,0*10-9 m/s;

thickness 1 m

HDPE 2,5 mm +

leachate collection

Landfill F Ash Non k ≤ 1,0*10-9 m/s; HDPE 2,5 mm +

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Hazardous thickness 1 m leachate collection

Landfill F Ash Cell for

Hazardous

k ≤ 1,0*10-9 m/s;

thickness 5 m

HDPE 2,5 mm +

leachate collection

Landfill

G Inert Inert

k ≤ 1,0*10-7 m/s ;

thickness 1 m Not Required

Landfill

H Inert Inert

k ≤ 1,0*10-7 m/s ;

thickness 1 m Not required

Figure 26: Landfill construction requirements

With regards to the geological barrier performance the Directive requires that the characteristics

of the barrier prevised shall reach at least the prescribed performance. With this it is intended

that the thickness of the barrier can vary in relation to the permeability. The consistency of the in

situ natural geological barrier will be evaluated with in situ testing in the future steps of design of

the landfills.

In any case the required performance will be reached on the bottom and the sides of the pits with

a combination of natural low permeability material (Clay) and GCL (Geocomposit Clay Liner) if

needed.

GCL Liner produced today have generally the permeability equivalent to 1 meter of clay with

permeability coefficient k ≤ 1,0*10-9 m/s and are generally used in modern Landfills in EU and

around the world.

The Sealing Liner and Leachate collection systems for the Non Hazardous and Hazardous

Landfills will be characterized by the following elements (from bottom to top):

Impermeable Lining System made of HDPE geomembrane of 2.5 mm thickness ;

Impermeable Lining System protection with geotextile (800 gr/m2);

Leachate draining system made of 50 cm of sand/gravel with HDPE draining tubes

prevised to force the leachate to the extracting wells.

Page 52 of 125


Figure 27: Geological barrier and bottom sealing of Hazardous and Non Hazardous Waste

Landfill

Page 53 of 125


Figure 28: Geological barrier and bottom sealing of INERT waste Landfill

It is advised that in the construction phase the liners (HDPE/GCL/Geotextile) come from

certified producers according to UNI EN ISO 9001 or 9002 and that all material to be produced

for Central and Eastern Europe.

3.5.4.2 Top sealing system

The top sealing system of the different Landfills will be designed and constructed in compliance

and according to the minimum requirements described in EU Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April

1999 and the Decision of the Council of Ministers, No. 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills of

waste”.

Annex I point 3 (Protection of soil and water) defines the characteristics of the sealing system for

the different types of landfills:

If the competent authority after a consideration of the potential hazards to the environment finds

that the prevention of leachate formation is necessary, a surface sealing may be prescribed.

Recommendations for the surface sealing are as follows:

Landfill Category Non-hazardous

waste

Hazardous

waste

Gas filtering/drainage layer Required Not required

Artificial sealing liner Not required Required

Impermeable mineral layer Required Required

Drainage layer > 0,5m Required Required

Top soil cover > 1m Required Required

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According to the above criteria the different types of landfills prevised in the MSW treatment

facility of Tirana will have the following sealing systems:

Type of

Waste Classification Top sealing

Artificial sealing

liner

Landfill

B MSW

Non

Hazardous

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil

Landfill F Ash Non

Hazardous

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil

Required

HDPE/LDPE

Landfill F Ash Cell for

Hazardous

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil

Landfill

G Inert Inert

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil

Landfill

H Inert Inert

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil

Figure 29: Landfill sealing systems


After the final closure of a landfill, conducted as prescribed by the legislation, generally will not

produce impacts on the environment. In many countries the recovered areas are reused in urban

or rural environment as parks or green areas. To be able to do this the landfills must be

requalified with green works and post-care must be applied. The European law previses that the

landfills are followed and operated for a period of 30 years after closure.

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Figure 31: Landfill final recovery as a park


Biogas is an important hazard for safety and air quality and also a

potential for energy production. Particular attention will be paid to

the production of biogas within the landfill.

The EU Directive 1999/31/EC, Annex I prescribe that landfills

shall have a biogas collection and flaring system if needed. In the case of the T.W.T.A. biogas

collection is needed for existing landfill and for Landfill B where we have the disposal of MSW

waste.

Biogas is produced In Landfills where organic waste is disposed.

During the degradation of organic waste, Landfill Gas (LFG) is

produced. LFG is a gas mixture with mainly methane CH4 and

Carbon dioxide CO2. LFG is a combustible gas with powerful

greenhouse effect, LFG must be burnt to avoid climate change

emissions and avoid smell.

LFG collection involves the construction of vertical wells in the waste with approximately 30

meters of range of influence and the extraction of the gas from the landfill with the aid of a

vacuum induction system.

LFG is sucked outside to the control station where gas separation occurs with the generated

condensate. The gas at this point is conveyed to a torch for combustion or to an engine for

energy recovery

The combustion system is made of a suction section with a gas analysis section and a high

temperature torch in which combustion takes place. The system is controlled automatically by a

PLC.

The combustion efficiency shall guarantee low emission, as to respect the limits required by all

applicable European regulations. The torch has a control panel, a gas train, a flame arrester, a

pilot main burner ignition and safety devices.

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If the quality and quantity of LFG is favourable LFG can be used in a CHP unit to generate heat

and electricity.

3.5.5.1 LFG Productivity

The attended biogas production has been estimated for the existing landfill and Module of urban

solid waste. Urban solid waste Module (Lot B) given its volume and lifespan has a high potential

of LFG production with a maximum estimated of 3200 Nm3 / h in the 6th

year of operational life.

The production ascribed to existing landfill relates only to the new waste. The LFG produced by

the new waste must be added to the productivity of the waste disposed before the start of the

concession.

Figure 32: LFG estimated production

In both cases the LFG produced will have a high potential of energy production that is estimated

in between 3 – 6 4 MW of electricity for a period of 5 to 10 years.

The evaluation of the cost / benefit of these interventions will be made with reference to the need

for appropriate waste containment systems and systems of extraction and combustion of biogas

for energy purposes. In this context particular importance is the Kyoto Protocol on the reduction

of greenhouse gases which came into force on 16 January 2005. The Protocol provides that

European companies related to the areas covered by the Directive 2003/87/EC (European

instrument designed to fulfil more effectively the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol) will have

to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases as specified in the plans national.

3.6 Technical description of the selection plant

3.6.1 General description

The selection system of MSW adopted allows, in compliance with EU directives, to separate

recyclable fractions still present, their refusal and to start waste fraction system.

The sorting facility will be housed in a 4000 square meters industrial warehouse with odour

abatement plant and bio filter.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

Nm

3/h

years

Estimate of potential productivity LFG on MSW Tirana management

Sharre Module MSW1

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The structure consists of four physically separate distinct areas:

• waste reception area, where all waste to be treated are discharged

• manual selection of the collection of some waste fractions after selection;

• mechanical sorting area of waste and separation of ferrous and non-ferrous materials;

• loading area of fractions to end systems: thermovalorization plants, landfill, recycling

plant .

Figure 33: Selection Plant

The various sections of the plant special dust suction system will be placed in order to protect the

diffusion of dust and odour.

The effective potential sizing of the treatment is equal to 150,000 t / y, for a maximum quantity

of treatment of 600 t / day.

The operation of the plant takes place on 6 days a week, excluding holidays, with a single work

shift.

3.6.2 Selection process

The waste is transferred from the collection to the receiving area where a mechanical mean/tool

allows making a prior separation of coarse/bulky material from the plant, which is temporarily

collected in a special area to be transferred for further treatments to another area, with a view of

further improvement of the actual fraction, if possible. The percentage of material not compatible

with the selection is estimated in a about 0.5% to 1% of the incoming waste.

The remaining part after selection will then be loaded with mechanical excavator on the

shredder-bag opener from which is the first component of the selection process. The output of

the shredder, at a flow rate of 60 t/h, which is presented in disaggregated form, will be

transferred via conveyor belt to the treatment section.

Along this line, trained operators will be placed to do manual selection of paper, plastic and

glass. The operators trained to this task will work on short shifts of maximum 2 hours.

After to manual sorting a sieve will be placed to separated waste by rotating screen with a

cylinder of diameter 2.8 m, 15 m length, inclined at about 6 ° to the horizontal with circular holes

of the diameter of 60 mm. The screen will be dimensioned for a maximum flow rate of 65 t / h.

Through the step of sieving the incoming MSW will be sorted in 2 main fractions:

Collection Area

LIne manual selection

Mechanical sorting

loading area

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¥ an oversize fraction (dry fraction) essentially consisting of plastic, paper, cardboard, metals,

etc. larger than 60 mm, in an amount of about 70.80% of the input material;

¥ a passing undersize fraction (wet fraction) consists mainly of organic, paper, plastics, metals,

aggregates, etc. size equal to or less than 60 mm, in an amount equal to about 20% of the input

material.

Both fractions are sent separately by conveyor belts to the sections of the separation of metals

constituted by an electromagnetic iron separator (for separating ferrous materials) and an

induced-current separator (for non-

ferrous materials),

The amount of separated ferrous

material predictably will be close to

1% and the amount of non-ferrous

material will be equal to about 0.1-

0.3%.

During the process the waste

undergoes a weight loss by

evaporation of the order of 1-2%.

The dry fraction and the humid

fraction are transferred by means of

conveyor belts in the loading area

where the material will be loaded on

trucks by means of a compacting

press or an excavator with spider in

order to give a storage compaction to

increase the capacity the trucks and

thus reducing number of trucks and

are taken to destination inside the

T.W.T.A.

The dry fraction without metals will

be loaded on trucks and will be

transferred to the thermovalorization

plant or, to the landfill for final

disposal.

The wet fraction of MSW without

metal, loaded on trucks, may be sent

to the stabilizing plant for the

stabilization of the organic matrix

contained and after to the landfill.

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The metal and non-ferrous fraction, and the recyclables leaving the separators, or collected

manually, are gathered in special roll-off containers and initiated to recovery platforms for steel,

aluminium etc.

3.7 Technical description of the bio-stabilization plant

The bio-stabilization plant is designed to stabilize the fraction of the humid waste produced by

the selection plant. The planned capacity of the plant is of 100.000 Ton/year.

The bio-stabilization process develops and is completed in three separate compartments

corresponding to 3 different buildings.

segment of the aerobic digestion

It spreads over an area of about 4,400 square meters.

It is composed of two aerobic digestion lines each with a capacity of 10 t / h. In each digester,

consisting of a basin in reinforced concrete open at the top and contained in an industrial

building, the organic component is stabilized and compounded (no more putrescible) with an

aerobic processes. The stabilization takes about 21 days and is aided by means of insufflation of

air and mechanical mixing.

the refining sector


It is designed for treatment with a capacity of 14 t / h. The organic fraction coming out of the

aerobic digesters is iron free through iron removal and grading machine, then sieved in order to

separate the FOS (undersize) for use in environmental recoveries, from the scrap (oversize) that

will mainly consists of dry material such as paper, plastic, wood and aggregates which, due to

the high calorific value, will be sent to the energy recovery together with the dry fraction from

the other lines of treatment.

segment of the maturation


It is disposed for a line of treatment. The complete refined FOS is a biological processing cycle

which in the next 28 days, with the aid of a gentle turning of the heaps equipped with self-

propelled means, is stored in the same area ready for use.

The resulting material will be used for the daily covering of the waste in the landfills (MSW or

ASH) as to limit the environmental impact of the disposed waste.

3.8 Technical description of the Leachate treatment plant

The leachate treatment plant is designed to treat the leachate produced by the existing landfill

and by all the landfills (Lot. B, F, G, H) before discharging to the surface water. The leachate

plant performance will insure the discharge of the leachate and other waters produced within the

T.W.T.A. operations in compliance to the EU and Albanian Standards as set by legislation.

The capacity of the plant will be of 400 m3/day. The planned capacity per year will be

approximately 120.000 m3/year (300 days of operational time per year).

The leachate plant will have the necessary components for the requested performance. The

components are listed below:

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1. Storage tank

2. Aeration Tank and biological oxidation

3. Ultrafiltration Module

4. Double Osmosis module

The storage tank has the function of ensuring an adequate volumetric capacity to support

temporary stops of the plant for ordinary and extraordinary maintenance and at the same time to

guarantee the equalization of the wastewater. This makes it more uniform in time the input

concentrations to the following treatment section.

In the aeration tank the leachate is pre-filtered with the aid of the air inlet with an insufflation

system that allows the stabilization of the wastewater and the transformation of part of the

ammonia into nitrate, facilitating the work of the following reverse osmosis membranes.

The ultrafiltration section makes a fine filtration ensuring a good clarification of the effluent,

necessary for the purposes of a correct operation of the next-stage (reverse osmosis).

Furthermore, the ultrafiltration constitutes a total barrier against the biological sludge, colloids

and macromolecules, which remain in the oxidation tank by completing the biological processes.

The reverse osmosis section will be double-stage to ensure the highest possible concentration

ratio and at the same time obtain the production of a permeate (filtrate) of high quality. At the

end of the process you will get a number of concentrate to be recirculated in a landfill in

accordance with European regulations (Directive 1999/31 / EC).

The final products generated from the treatment system are two: purified water (98-99%) that

will be discharged in the surface water network present and the concentrate (1-2%) that will be

recycled in the same landfill to increase the production of biogas and to the maintenance of

pollutants in the landfill.

These sections of treatment plants have to be installed in case of treatment of leachate from

urban waste landfills. The leachate quality taken into account as benchmark for treatment is a

standard in Urban/Municipal Waste Landfills.

The sludge produced by the leachate plant will most probably be classified as Hazardous due to

it concentration of contaminants. The sludge will be disposed in the compliant cell of the landfill

of Lot F.

The treatment plant will be constructed by qualified companies with relevant experience in

similar projects and all the main components will be produced by known companies and

according to EU standards.

3.9 Auxiliary installations

The T.W.T.A. will have the necessary installations for the treatment of the incoming waste,

described in the previous chapters and named from Lot A to Lot H. In order to be operational the

T.W.T.A. will have auxiliary plants and works such as:

Urbanization works:

access roads to public infrastructure;

Internal service roads;

green areas ;

perimeter fences;

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Logistics and offices:

reception with video surveillance terminals;

office building, for administrative and managerial staff;

Operating staff/personnel building (offices, dressing rooms, etc.);

Canteen and service spaces (infirmary, etc.)

area used for the storage of roll-off containers;

General plant services (push fire groups networks, waste water treatment, etc.);

weighing and wheel washing station;

storehouse / warehouse;

Substation.

3.10 Remediation of the Sharra landfill

3.10.1 Social, operational and environmental challenges at the existing landfill of

Sharra

The main challenges at the existing Sharra site are reported to be:

• Social challenges:

• Health and Security standards at the site are reported to be unsatisfactory and not

consistent with best practices, resulting in unacceptable risks (accidents, injuries,

exposure to pathogens);

• It is reported that working conditions

at the site present various challenges,

including contractual aspects and terms of

employment.

• the landfill is closely surrounded by

houses and dwelling (in particular, the

western area);

• Operational challenges:

• very limited residual life of the site,

due to lack of waste compaction;

• lack of exact knowledge of quantity

and characteristics of dispose MSW;

• absence of daily covers and final capping;

• Environmental challenges:

• Leachate: the current system for collecting and treating the leachate appears inadequate,

creating the conditions for surface water and groundwater pollution;

• Biogas: the landfill is not equipped with a Landfill Gas (LFG) collection system. This

results in the emissions of Greenhouse Gases (notably methane), odours and danger of

explosive conditions;

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• Nuisance to local neighbourhoods: the high content of the organic fraction in the

disposed MSW, combined with the lack of biogas collection, creates the conditions for

poor air quality (particulates, odours). Lack of capping results in dispersion of plastics

in the surrounding, inhabited areas.

3.10.2 Technical approach and methodology for Sharra landfill site – residual

operational life

The company will take care of the improvement of management conditions at the existing

landfill site at Sharra, in order to overcome the challenges highlighted in the previous section.

The Consortium will refer to directives on Environmental, Health, and Safety of IFC/World

Bank on Waste Management Facilities.The first task will consist in a feasibility analysis of the

possible measures to implement, by:

• Assessing the current technical and environmental situation of the landfill, as well as the

management and social aspects of its current operations;

• Designing, defining and selecting the best technical and operational measures, according to

the methodologies of Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Costs and the Best

Practical Environmental Options and in full compliance with National legislation and local

regulations.

The Consortium will then implement the identified measures for the old landfill area (i.e. where

disposal is concluded) and the live areas (i.e. where disposal is currently in progress), by

focusing on the following measures:

• Designing, in accordance with the Ministry and with the support of relevant local

stakeholders, operational measures (e.g. weighing, data recording) to improve the overall

waste management process;

• Installing a proper fence of the whole Sharra landfill site, to improve control and security, as

well as to partially intercept the dispersed waste;

• Covering the old landfill areas with inert materials with a quantity 150.000 m3;

• Improve the collection and treatment of the leachate, by restoring and maintaining the

existing channel network;

• Introducing leachate storage infrastructures (basins, tanks) to control the flows into the

leachate treatment plant and cope with the peaks due to rainfall;

• Upgrade the leachate treatment plant, in order to achieve and maintain the quality of

discharged output;

• Construct an extensive Landfill Gas collection and flaring system order to minimize

emissions of Greenhouse Gases (notably methane), odours and danger of explosive

conditions;

• Study the technical and economic feasibility of introducing an energy generation unit.

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3.10.3 Technical approach and methodology for final closure and post-closure

care

The final closure technologies, as well as the post-closure management protocols, will again be

identified and selected according to the methodologies of Best Available Techniques Not

Entailing Excessive Costs and the Best Practical Environmental Options, in order to meet the

sustainability criteria set forth in the following section.

The closure intervention and the post-closure management protocols shall be defined in order to

fulfil the following goals:

• ensure the long-term environmental

performance of the closed landfill, by

minimising its impacts on the

surrounding environment (soil, water,

air);

• reduce / eliminate the sources of

nuisance and health concerns to the

surrounding communities;

• enable the generation of revenues for

the operator and the local community

(e.g. recovery of materials, electricity generation from landfill gas)

• enable the re-use of the site for other purposes (e.g.

recreation, green areas).

The closure procedures shall include the appropriate final

covering of landfill with soil and topsoil to guarantee

vegetation. A run-off drain network will also be

implemented, to minimise the production of leachate. After closing the landfill, the proponent

will carry out a final cleaning of the surrounding areas and a final restoration of the leachate

collection system.

The post-closure care of the landfill could include a number of activities, designed and

implemented to properly maintain the environmental performance of the closed landfill:

periodical measurement of fugitive landfill gas emissions from the landfill body through

its surface cover;

maintenance of the cover layers;

periodical measurements of leachate characteristics, before and after treatment;

maintenance of run-off surface drainage network and leachate treatment plant.

The exact post-closure care measures will be determined after the feasibility and design phase.

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3.10.4 Top Sealing system

The top sealing system of the Landfill will be designed and constructed in compliance and

according to the minimum requirements described in EU Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April

1999 and the Decision of the Council of Ministers, No. 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills

of waste”.

Annex I point 3 (Protection of soil and water) defines the characteristics of the sealing system for

the different types of landfills:

If the competent authority after a consideration of the potential hazards to the environment finds that the prevention

of leachate formation is necessary, a surface sealing may be prescribed. Recommendations for the surface sealing

are as follows:

Landfill category Non-hazardous

waste

Hazardous

waste

Gas filtering/drainage layer Required Not required

Artificial sealing liner Not required Required

Impermeable mineral layer Required Required

Drainage layer > 0,5m Required Required

Top soil cover > 1m Required Required

According to the above criteria the Sharra landfills will have the following sealing systems:

Type of

Waste Classification Top sealing

Artificial sealing

liner

Sharra MSW Non

Hazardous

Impermeable layer,

drainage + top soil Not Required


After the final closure a sanitary landfill conducted as prescribed by the legislation generally will

not produce impacts on the environment. In many countries the recovered areas are reused in

urban or rural environment as parks or green areas. To be able to do this the landfills must be

requalified with green works and aftercare must be applied. The European law previses that the

landfills are followed and operated for a period of 30 years after closure.

Page 65 of 125



Biogas is an important hazard for safety and air quality and also a potential for energy

production. Particular attention will be paid to the production of biogas within the landfill.

The EU Directive 1999/31/EC, Annex I prescribe that landfills shall have a biogas collection

and flaring system if needed. This is the case of our landfills where biogas collection is

necessary.

LFG collection system involves the construction of vertical wells in the waste with

approximately 30 meters of range of influence and the extraction of the gas from the landfill with

the aid of a vacuum induction system.

It is estimated that some 60-80 wells will be needed to cover the entire area of the existing

landfill. LFG is sucked outside to the control station where gas is separated through the condense

process. The gas at this point is conveyed to a torch for combustion or to an engine for energy

recovery.

Figure 36: LFG Capture Plant at existing landfill

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The combustion system is made of a suction section with a gas analysis section and a high

temperature torch in which combustion takes place. The system is controlled automatically by a

PLC.

The combustion efficiency will guarantee low emission, as to respect the limits required by all

applicable European regulations. The torch has a control panel, a pilot main burner ignition and a

protection system.

If the quality and quantity of LFG is favourable LFG can be used in a CHP unit to generate heat

and electricity

3.10.6 LFG Productivity

Engines for the production of energy will be installed if the LFG production curve and

estimations will prove it to be economically feasible.

The evaluation of the cost / benefit of these interventions will be done with reference to the need

for appropriate waste containment systems and systems of extraction and combustion of biogas

for energy purposes. In this context particular importance has the Kyoto Protocol on the

reduction of greenhouse gases which came into force on 16 January 2005. The Protocol provides

that European companies related to the areas covered by the Directive 2003/87/EC (European

instrument designed to fulfil more effectively the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol) will have

to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases as specified in the plans national.

4. SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

4.1 Contribution to climate protection

At the plenary session dated 15 July 2016 the Albanian government ratified the Paris Agreement

on Climate Change. The ratification of the Paris Agreement by Albania is a major step towards

its implementation, to combat climate change as well as to reconcile the actions and investments

towards a low-carbon, sustainable and improved resilience future on global level.

The ratification of the Paris Agreement introduces the compulsory implementation of Intended

Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), after 2020 on the international level and the review

every 5 years of INDC in order to grant the Albanian contribution to mitigation to climate

change. While the Ministry of Environment with the support of donors is anticipating this

process through the development of strategic documents and legal framework for climate

change, where we have to mention the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the

reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; Climate Change Draft-law and a Draft-decision of

Council of Ministers “On the establishment of a monitoring, verification and reporting system on

greenhouse gas emissions”.

While, the Ministry of Environment launched at the end of June the National Adaptation Plan

(NAP) for Climate Change.

According to the latest report “III Communication of Albania 2000-2009" of Convention on

Climate Change, the waste sector is responsible for about 9.2% of total national greenhouse gas

emissions.

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The project aims to reduce the volume of MSW disposed in the future in landfill, waste

stabilization and increasing the rate of recycling to comply with the final target % rate level of

recovery and recycling, as defined in the National Waste Management Plan. The rate of waste to

energy processing plant must be designed large enough to recover energy in the form of

electricity for use in the plant and additional quantities of electricity to be sold to the power

company.

The municipal waste processing plant, thermovalorizator, will be composed of four (4)

processing lines. The processing capacity of each line will be 230 tons/day to achieve the total

waste recycling volume of 920 tons/day.

The main contributions of the project related to climate change include:

Avoidance of emission of decomposition gases of organic waste disposed in the landfill;

Avoidance of uncontrolled combustion of waste in Sharra and related greenhouse gas

emissions;

Enabling separation and reuse/recycling of material;

Producing energy from waste, by increasing the efficiency of waste treatment and

benefits thereof;

Lengthening the time of landfill usage and shortening investments costs in its expansions.

This is due to the reduction in the amount of waste that ends up in landfill after

thermovalorization;

4.2 Geology, Soil and Topography

From the geological point of view, the study area extends over two units that are Tirana syncline

and Baldushku anticline.

Tirana syncline, on which is located the city of Tirana lies north of Sharra hills. It lies on the

eastern sector of the Pranadriatik Lowland and is included in a regional structure of inverse-

break andon-postpliocenic mountings, characteristic of External Albanides tectonics. Tirana

syncline has an elongated shape extending northeast-southwest and is built primarily by upper

Miocene deposits (N31). These kinds of deposits are found in the hills around the city of Tirana

and constitute the basic formation of the new Quaternary deposits on which the city of Tirana

arises. They are represented by siltstones, sandstones and in some cases even carbonate layers.

On the west of Tirana syncline we find the Baldushku anticline which extends to the hilly area of

the project. Formations that form Baldushku anticline are those of Neogene and Oligocene and

are mainly clay, silts and rare cross-layers of sandstone and conglomerate.

The project area appears to mainly stable, the areas nearby the existing landfill are exposed to

erosional phenomena. The instalments of the T.W.T.A. will be placed at a safety distance from

the erosional phenomena. The construction of the T.W.T.A. instalments will foresee a certain

amount of earthworks that must be planned with regards to the geotechnical characteristics of the

soil.

Based on the seismic regionalization of Albania our study area is included in the seismic zone of

intensity 7, according to the MKS scale (1964) and magnitude 6.5-7 for average land conditions.

The area of the plant is positioned on the southern slopes of the hills. The orography is

characterized by faint watersheds.

The main impacts and potential impacts on geology and ground receptor can be:

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the diversion of the use of the area that will be occupied by the components of the plant is

a non-reversible impact;

the effects of the excavation operations with the displacement of a consistent quantity of

soil and underground material;

in the operational phase the agricultural land around the plant may be affected by the air

emissions of the landfills and the WTE plant;

in addition, possible land pollution may be associated with improper operating practices

or accidental leakage from draining fluid collection system and processing tanks. The

latter can be transferred to the crops and the food chain.

underground soil layers may be polluted as a result of the HDPE insulation layer damage;

Leakage of sludge may occur along the collection systems until the collection pool and

treatment plant;

The soil can be polluted by accidental leakage of work tools.

Apart from the first 2 items on the risk of potential impacts may be mitigated and controlled with

proper operational procedures and environmental monitoring. These potential impacts are

generally very low in modern waste treatment plants.

4.3 Surface water and underground resources

4.3.1 Surface water

The main surface water body is Erzen River that flows at a distance of 300 mt to the south of the

project area. The annual medium flow of Erzen by the project area is reported to be about 12-13

m3 / sec. Erzen river waters are used mainly for irrigation and very little as drinking water (after

purification). Along its course you can find shallow water wells used for water supply in rural

areas. Being one of the main rivers in the country, Erzen River is part of the National Monitoring

Program about the quality of water, which is conducted by the National Environment Agency.

The evaluation of river water quality is based on eight main chemical pollution parameters

defined in the Water Directive of the EU. Under this Directive, rivers are classified into five

classes, where the moderate condition or the third class, is considered the grade with the

minimum acceptable level of rivers water quality. The measured parameters include dissolved

oxygen, NKO, NBO5, nitrites NO2, NO3 nitrate, NH4 ammonia, total phosphorus Ptotal,

phosphates PO4 and, and the floating substances.

The water quality of Erzen River is monitored with 3 stations, one of which, that of the Beshir

Bridge, is located quite close to the project area. According to the latest data of the monitoring

conducted by the NEA in 2015 and published in the Environment Status Report 2015, Erzen

water quality at the station was estimated at the fourth category.

The project area is crossed by a small stream named Sharra. This appears to be a seasonal water

body and is characterized by an artificial reservoir. The reservoir is situated in the southern part

of the project area.

The Sharra Stream flows from the hilly area of Sharra Village at elevations of about 300 m

above mean sea level and joins Erzen River about 1.4 km south to the existing landfill. The total

area of the watershed is nearly 0.25 km2. In the upper part of the stream an artificial reservoir is

situated. The reservoir has now been transformed into a pond due to sedimentation. Total surface

of the reservoir is about 3500 m2 and the maximal depth is about 2 m. The outflow from the

reservoir during the dry season is about 0.01 l/s, but during heavy rains the water overflows the

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reservoir. Sharra Stream flow is totally related to the rainfall; most of the time the stream flow is

very light, but during short intervals of heavy rains its flow increases. During heavy rains the

maximal discharge of Sharra Stream comes up 3.5 m3/s. In some locations along the existing

landfill the waste is blocking up the Sharra Stream creating pools.

The main impacts and potential impacts on surface water can be:

during the construction phase the generation of earth from excavation can increase the

amount of sediment in the surface waters.

in the operational and post closure phase the quality of the water flow of Sharre stream

and Erzen River may be impacted/contaminated as a result of the accidental leakage of

the plant leachate collection systems and the leachate treatment plant;

in the operational and post closure phase the quality of the water flow of Sharre stream

and Erzen River may be impacted/contaminated in case of the incorrect functional

performance of the leachate treatment plant;

surface waters may also be impacted by accidental leakage from minor plants or vehicles.

The risk of potential impacts may be mitigated and controlled with proper operational procedures

and environmental monitoring. These potential impacts are generally very low in modern waste

treatment plants.

A positive impact will be introduced in the quality of runoff due to the remediation of Sharre

landfill and the construction of the leachate treatment plant that will serve to reduce the

contamination of the discharge produced by the same landfill.

4.3.2 Groundwater

Due to the geological characteristics of the area where clay deposits are mainly present, the

groundwater is reported to be scarce and not used for human purposes. In any case a detailed

hydrogeological study must be carried out in the successive design phases.

The only sources of underground waters in the area are Erzen gravel deposits (conglomeratic).

Because of their high permeability they represent an important aquifer, where some wells for

supplying water to the village are registered.

Sharra landfill is located in the area of “practically non-permeable rocks” including underlying

rocks as well as Quaternary deposits. As described above, the Neogene underlying rocks consist

mainly of clay stone and siltstone.

Both types of rock are characterized by very low permeability, usually less than 1*10 cm/s. The

upper weathered part of the underlying rocks, with a maximal thickness of about 2 m, has a

higher permeability than the underlying intact rocks. However, due to the limited thickness of the

weathered part and the good drainage conditions for the area, this weathered rock has very

limited groundwater resources potential. Like the Neogene underlying rocks the thin Quaternary

deposits of Sharra have low permeability and are considered “practically non auriferous rocks”.

There are very small springs in Sharra Village. The springs are related to the weathered upper

part of the underlying rocks. The discharge from the springs is less than or about 0.01 l/s.

Besides the small springs, the population of Sharra Village gets their drinking water from some

shallow wells dug on Quaternary soil cover and on weathered basement rock. Due to the very

low permeability of the Neogene formations, this formation has practically no groundwater

potential, and no groundwater wells are installed in this formation.

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The main impacts and potential impacts on groundwater can be:

in the operational and post closure phase the quality of the water may be

impacted/contaminated as a result of the accidental leakage of the plant leachate

collection systems and the leachate treatment plant;

in the operational phase the quality of the water may be impacted/contaminated in case of

the incorrect functional performance of the leachate treatment plant;

surface waters may be impacted by accidental leakage from minor plants or vehicles.



treatment plants.

A positive impact will be introduced in the quality of the underground waters due to the

remediation of Sharre landfill and the construction of the leachate treatment plant that will serve

to reduce the contamination of the discharge produced by the same landfill.

4.4 Air quality

Being the capital and largest urban centre in the country, Tirana is included in the network of air

quality monitoring which takes place based on the National Monitoring Program. Monitoring is

carried out in several locations in the city, but none of them is located near the area of the

proposed project. In addition to this, due to lack of financial and technical capacities, monitoring

is not continuous at all points and not performed for all pollutants. Monitoring involves

measuring the concentration of pollutants in the air such as PM10, SO2, CO, O3, NO2, NO3 and

benzene. The most recent data on air quality in Tirana is referred to the Environmental Status

Report 2015, published by the National Environment Agency. Monitoring results, expressed in

the form of a comparison with the 2014 trend, indicate deterioration of air quality for some

pollutants.

As seen from the table below, in the area of Tirana, during 2015 there is an increased

concentration of the granular substance PM10, O3 ozone gas and nitrogen dioxide NO2. The

concentration of granular substance, which represents one of the main air pollutants continues to

be too high compared with the EU rate, 65.7 vs. 40 g/m3 (annual EU standard). The same is

observed in relation to the benzene concentration, which although has decreased in 2015, if

compared with 2014, is still almost double that of EU allowed standards.

Stations PM 10 SO2 O3 CO NO2 Benzen

2 year trend 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015

Tirana NEA 63.88 65.7

Tirana MoE 44.24 49.74 15.52 13.8 32.64 39.6 0.85 0.67 35.01 42.4 2.74 2.08

EU standard 40 40 40 5 5

Source: Environmental Status Report 2015, NEA

Among the main causes of air pollution in Tirana, listed among others is the deficiency in the

waste management system including infrastructure deficiencies, and the existence of illegal

dumps and insufficiency of processing capacity.

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Given the importance that Sharra landfill represents, in proximity of which the project is

proposed to be developed, the monitoring of air quality in the vicinity has been subject to special

studies. Among them a study conducted by the Environmental Epidemiology Unit and Air

Quality Control at the Department of Health and Environment.

Monitoring is focused on the concentration of four pollutants, respectively: solids floating

substance (SFS), dust particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), in the residential

area about 300 m north of the landfill. The results showed high values, respectively, for SFS and

PM10 values are higher than the rate limit of the EU, respectively 170 and 63 g/m3 versus 100

and 40 g/m3 (rates EU) and for the other two pollutants although the values are within the

national average those are considered high, namely 32 and 61 g/m3 versus 40 and 120 g/m3 (EU

standard).

The proposed activity is characterized by emissions in the environment, which can be controlled

and minimized through advanced technology and application of the best techniques.

As a result of the project implementation, air quality in the area can be affected by:

Construction operations emissions into the environment, particularly from the generation of

dust;

Release of combustion gas from the incinerator, granulate matter - of different sizes; and

other acid gases - HCl, HF, HBr, HI, SO2, NOx; heavy metals - Hg, Cd, Tl, As, Pb, Zn, Ni,

Sb, Se, Sn; carbon compounds - CO, VOC, PCDD / PCDF, PCB, PAH.

Deposition of organic waste in the landfill, a process which is characterized by unpleasant

odour release, biogas during the decomposition process and gases from leachate treatment

system;

Landfill gases, including hydrogen sulphide, methanol, carbon monoxide, ammonia and

nitrogen;

Gases produced by the fluid treatment system of leachate drainage fluids, which are volatile

organic compounds short of methane;

The incinerator ash deposition technique in the relevant module may cause air pollution with

heavy metals.



treatment plants.

A positive impact will be introduced in air quality of the surrounding due to the remediation of

Sharre landfill and Landfill Gas collection. After closure we will register a reduction in dust

pollution and gas emission with related odour.

4.5 Noise and vibrations

The noise levels emitted by the proposed plant are comparable to those of any heavy industry

and power plants that produce energy.

The key sources of external noises are:

In the construction phase estimated to last approximately 6 years, all the Vehicles

transporting materials and the civil works.

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In the operational phase the vehicles that will transport the waste and the handling of the

same within the plants limits;

The Mechanical pre-treatment of waste such as grinding, packaging etc.;

The WTE plant with the Fans located at the chimney outlet under the action gases, the

cooling system (steam cooling), the turbines, which for this purpose are installed in

environments adjusted for the amortization of noise, the Furnace that releases pressure

for emergency reasons, the Compressors;

Transport and handling operations of the waste in the different landfills.

Other parts of the installation or other operations do not contribute significantly to external noise.

4.6 Biodiversity and protected areas

The project area appears to have a low biological importance. The territory has been cultivated in

the past but now is partly abandoned and turned into wasteland. The vegetation of this area is

represented by a herbaceous one-year flora, which is replaced slowly by perennial plants which

are indicators of these changes and at the same time indicators of their impoverishment.

Due to human activity the area is characterized by fauna poor in species and synanthropic

species. Species attending this environment are: amphibian (Bufo viridis) and four species of

reptiles (Hemidactylus turcicus, Cyrtodactilus kotschyi, Elaphe longissima dhe Telescopus

fallax).

The proposed area is not included in any protected area and does not interrupt any of it or a

natural monument.

4.7 Natural resources

No natural resources are registered to be present in the project area.

4.8 Socio economic effects

4.8.1 Socio economic effects

Possible negative impacts on the social environment are associated primarily with the emissions

into air, noise and landscape. Construction and operation of the incinerator is associated with air

and water emissions of certain pollutants such as NOx, SO2, acid gases, heavy metals, dioxins

and furans. It is expected that the emissions will respect the EU limits for these compounds. In

any case an impact on air quality will be registered in the surrounding.

To the few local inhabitants noise and landscape situation will certainly register an impact.

However the impacts on the socio-economic environment are more likely to be positive. First of

all construction and operation of the installation will eventually solve the problem of urban waste

treatment not only for the city but also for the surrounding areas.

The project will reduce the environmental burden of development and will terminate a 20 years

source of pollution. At the same time the rehabilitation of the existing landfill will be realized

which will end the problems related to it (bad odours).

Other positive impacts are the creation of new jobs for the construction and operation of the

plants, together with additional revenues and taxes that go into service of the social economy.

Since it is expected the developer to hire a qualified staff, it is possible to recruit only a fraction

of workers from the surrounding area. Although the positive impact it is expected to have a small

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effect in reducing the rate of unemployment in the region as the employment of local

employment is expected to be higher during the construction phase (due to the nature of the

operations that characterize this stage) than during operation , making this effect more

temporary.

Construction and installation of the plant will have a positive impact in terms of securing the

source of raw materials and services in the area, providing additional revenue for the local

economy. On the other hand the functioning of the installation itself will be accompanied by the

generation of income for the local administration stemming from the fiscal obligations of the

activity.

The operation will avoid the source of air pollution from uncontrolled combustion and

decomposition of waste, elimination of contagious and infectious vectors of diseases by direct

and indirect contact with waste collectors (the plant can and will destroy and medical waste

mixed with urban ones). Also, the current practice of waste disposal will protect pets that feed on

garbage and acquire disease (sheep and dogs).

Although it is expected to take the appropriate measures to mitigate the social and environment

impacts, businesses and families that are within a certain radius adjacent to the plant will be

affected by its construction and operation and will try to relocate.

However, this impact should be assessed quantitatively, although the area is sparsely populated.

4.8.2 Stakeholders engagement

The objection of the residential or non-residential inhabitants is expected to have a significant

effect and must be addressed to in the first steps of the proposal.

This effect is expected to be temporary in the first phases of the proposal, during the construction

and especially during the first period of operation.

Among the most effective measures for reducing the objection from local communities is to

identify the stakeholders that can be directly or indirectly influenced, those who oppose or

support the project and address them with transparency and communication, as well as eventual

compensation, by addressing social or economic problems that are not necessarily related to the

proposed project.

It is important that communities near the site and residents of the city of Tirana are heard and

must be addressed to as beneficiary party. Employment of workforce from the surrounding area

during construction and operation of the plant can be an effective measure to ensure their

support.

Support and trust of local communities requires increased knowledge and sensitivity to the

public and certain groups of interest, their inclusion in emissions monitoring procedures and

project implementation, confirmation of mitigation and compensation measures and plans is

essential.

Land compensation process, is an issue to be addressed before the start of construction works of

the plant in cooperation with local and national authorities.

Particular attention must be focused on the people collecting waste on the Sharra landfill. The

proposer shall find compensation measures or address them with possible work location on the

new project.

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Another local concern during plant construction and operation is related to the increase of traffic

of heavy vehicles, air pollution, causing noise and vibrations disturbing the surrounding residents

of a wider range.

4.9 Landscape and visual values

Impacts on landscape and visual values are taken into account in selecting the location for the

construction of the new installations. The proposed construction of the TWTA near the area of

the existing landfill minimizes the irreversible impact on the landscape and visual values of an

eventual new area chosen as another alternative.

The construction of the TWTA will generate an irreversible impact as the landscape within the

planned area will be changed. The Construction of the plant will change the visual aspects of the

area which is now natural and has an agricultural destination.

The landscape modification will occur in an area that is not visible from main installations,

residential or commercial, and from main roads.

4.10 Health and public safety

In the existing situation, the mismanagement of urban waste and its inappropriate storage in the

existing landfill or in the environment and uncontrolled combustion remain problematic and a

constant threat to public health. The proposed solution of an organized treatment facility with

treatment based on recovery of waste and energy recovery is a sustainable solution not only for

waste management, but also to decrease the possible negative effects of uncompliant

management of waste.

However, lack of appropriate operation of such plants can cause environmental impacts due to

solid, liquid or gaseous emissions. To avoid them, the plant shall be operated under strict

procedures and controlled by continuous environmental monitoring

Another concern to be considered is the care and the security of employees during construction

and operation of the plant. Exposure of workers to dust, pollution from hydrocarbons and

chemicals and hazardous materials, etc. as a result of failure to meet the conditions of work and

technical safety conditions, may pose a risk to their health. To avoid this plant must be

constructed and operated following strict safety procedures and the workers and technicians must

be well informed on safety and prevention procedures.

4.11 Historical and cultural heritage

Effects related to historical and cultural heritage are considered only for the construction phase

of the plant. In our knowledge, there are no historical, religious or cultural places or objects to be

considered within or near the proposed site.

However, based on national legislation, the developer should be careful to implement the

appropriate procedures if such objects are discovered during the construction process.

5. LIST OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO MONITOR These requirements include the types of waste allowed in the plant, the delivery and reception,

furnaces, plant reduction, waste treatment, monitoring equipment for emission limit values. All

of these requirements should be included in the environmental permit, and are listed below:

(i) Process requirements - Article 4 (3) - (5) and Article 5

Permitted wastes, their delivery and reception

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Terminal wastes

TOC11

/ LOI12

The content of slag and bottom ash

Terminal wastes - minimization, recycling and disposal

(ii) Working conditions - Article 6 (1, 2, 3), Article 7, and Article 8

Combustion requirements - Incineration Article 6 (1, 2, 3)

Temperature / Necessary Time

Energy recovery

Additional operating conditions

Non-normal operational conditions

Emission limit values (ELV) in the air, for thermovalorization plants (Article 7)

Daily average values

Heavy metals

Dioxins

Carbon monoxide

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

ELV in the air for co-thermovalorization plants

Determination of ELV in the air for co-thermovalorization plants

Special provisions for co- thermovalorization plants

Emission limit values (ELV) in the water, for thermovalorization plants (Article 8)

ELV for release of waste water from the cleaning of released gases

(iii) Monitoring

Requirements for thermovalorization plants and co-thermovalorization plants

Process monitoring / operational parameters

Monitoring of air emissions

Monitoring of emissions in the water

Monitoring of ash deposit

(iv) Standardization and Compliance

Standardization

Compliance

Average levels

Monitoring standards

Monitoring equipment’s

Uncertainty budget for particular determinants

6. ECONOMICAL AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

6.1 Quantitative assumptions

Economic and financial analysis has been developed by the proponent and is part of the

feasibility study and its main objective is to determine the “value for money” of the project. The

purpose of the economic analysis is to assess the financial viability of the project and calculate

the rate of payment (the concessionaire fee) that makes the project financially feasible.

Assumptions are based on technical proposal, economic data related to investment and operating

costs calculated according to the technical proposal, and based on the volume of waste to be

treated in the plant.

The optimum duration of the concession contracts for similar projects sets around 30 years.

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According to a preliminary estimate, the developer expects to handle a volume of 550-800 tons

of waste per day, equivalent to a maximum amount of 292.000 tons of municipal waste per year.

This amount of waste will be generated by the district of Tirana. Expectations are for a slightly

higher increase in the amount of waste due to the increase of consumption and population

growth, but it is not expected to affect or exceed the maximum capacity of the plant. Moreover,

in addition to the waste incineration process, the recycling activities will be developed, which is

expected to have the same trend as the annual increase of waste.

6.2 Costs

The planned investment for the construction of the T.W.T.A. (Capex) are indicated in point 1.1

of the Business Plan and are reported in the figure below and sum up to 128.248.330 Euro.

Figure 37: Capex for T.W.T.A.

The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs for the operation of the plant are estimated as

follows:

Salary expenses for about 27 employees in the second year of operation at a cost of EUR

408 thousand and increasing gradually in line with the increase of the number of

employees and construction of new plants resulting from the seventh year onwards with

130 effective employees and a total cost of EUR 846 thousand.

Expense of consumable materials which consist of chemical substances used in plant and

auxiliary materials. These span from EUR 360 thousand per year, when a single plant

will be in operation, EUR 714 thousand when two lines will be in operation, EUR 1,068

thousand during the period when three plants will be in operation and EUR 1.4 million

during the operation of four lines.

Plant maintenance expenses are projected to be about 320 thousand Euros per year when

a single line will be in operation, 640 thousand Euros when two lines will be in operation,

960 thousand Euros when three lines will be in operation and 1.3 million Euros during

the operation of four lines.

Object Costs in Euro

Existing landfill closure 12.928.700

Thermal valorisation 76.000.880

Municipal Waste Depositing Site 11.292.500

Inert Landfill Depositing Site 5.668.500

Ash Depositing Site 11.292.500

Water filtring plant 1.990.250

Selection plant 1.650.000

Electrical substation 1.225.000

Squares, roads 5.450.000

Transport vehicles 750.000

Total 128.248.330

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Costs of operation of the landfills are estimated in 12.5 euros per ton and sum up to 993

thousand euros in the first year rising to 3.65 million, by the seventh year and onwards

where the project is with full capacity.

The costs of maintenance and operation of the operational fleet (pick-up, van,

compactors, crawler loaders, wheel loaders, excavators, dump trucks, trucks with tanker

etc.) will have an annual cost of 0.9 million euros in the first year and 1.3 million euros in

the full capacity, including their use.

Regarding the above costs, we clarify that:

For the closure of the existing landfill is necessary to engage several equipment and employees,

because beside waste landfilling process which are now deposited, will also take place landfill

improvement (irrigation engineering) and planting of new seedling which will make complete

regeneration of the area.

Construction of thermovalorization plant is one of the steps, the costs of which are the biggest

part of the project, as we are dealing an authentic incineration plant. The plant is made of several

parts and not only their purchase and fitting, but also maintenance, i.e periodically change of

plant’s filters requires investments which undoubtedly justify their value but it results in the

increase of general investment’s costs.

Construction of new urban waste landfill requires costs because it will be constructed based on

best used technologies already applied in EU countries. Land area which will be used to this aim

shall be subject to drainage process so that landfill waters do not infiltrate the ground and

contaminate underground waters. On the other side, in any case of waste disposal, it is necessary

the treatment of existing waste and those disposed, thus showing that they are all added cost to

this project. The same logic applies to urban waste landfills, which are essential to be

implemented since Tirana and the entire district is under construction or even under

reconstruction and produces a considerable amount of such waste, which until today they

continue to be disposed in different areas without any criteria by damaging endlessly and without

environment regeneration possibility.

Water purification/filtering plant is another innovation entering waste treatment plant. Until now,

in the existing landfill, all waters created from rainfall or waste, flowed freely underground

contaminating all the surrounding area. Through construction of leachate plant, is made the

collection of these waters without expected losses and are completely processed in an

environmental and ecological way.

Electric substation is another important element of the plant because after waste incineration, the

energy derived from their combustion will be converted to electric energy. With a view of not

losing that energy and not only the loss but also the distribution in the country’s electricity grid,

will be constructed a power station which will be connected with Albanian electricity grid based

on the connection point approved by the respective authority. This power station will fulfill all

electricity needs of the plant and the difference of the derived electricity from incineration plant

will pass to the grid.

All the above mentioned, require construction and operations costs. Within these costs are also

included construction of squares, roads inside the plant and also working equipment (trucks,

diggers) including their operations costs.

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With a view to make this project be profitable, extended for a period of 30 years, it is necessary

that municipalities which become part of the project shall, for waste disposal in the plant, pay an

amount of 29.05 euro/ton excluding VAT. This cost is calculated based on the following table.

General Data of Landfill Unit Amount

Available tonnage t 8,364,340

Landfill longevity years 30

Years Post-management years 30

FEE CALCULATION EURO/TON

Description of costs Euro Euro/ton

1. Construction costs

Closure of existing landfill 12,928,700 1.55

Thermovalorizators 76,000,880 9.09

Municipal waste landfill 11,292,500 1.35

Inters landfill 5,668,500 0.68

Ashes landfill 11,292,500 1.35

Water filtration plant 1,990,250 0.24

Selection plant 1,650,000 0.20

Electricity power substation 1,225,000 0.15

Squares,, access roads etc. 5,450,000 0.65

Transport vehicles 3,750,000 0.45

Total Costs 1 € 131,248,330 15.69

2. Landfill operation costs

Salaries € 24,141,379 2.89

Consumable materials € 38,052,000 4.55

Maintenance costs € 34,240,000 4.09

Landfill treatment costs € 104,596,563 12.51

Vehicles costs € 37,189,889 4.45

Consultancy costs € 2,115,000 0.25

Telecommunication € 507,600 0.06

Other administrative costs € 58,556,632 7

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Total Costs 2 € 299,399,063 35.79

TOTAL COSTS € 430,647,393 51.49

3-Benefit (profitability)

Selling Electricity € (133,546,693) -15.97

Selling scrap € (78,345,377) -9.37

Company’s benefit € 120,948,356 2.90

TOTAL COSTS € 339,703,679 29

Cost unit for 1 ton waste, 29.05

Costs of 29.5 euro/ton waste will be covered by Municipality’s budget mainly of Tirana

Municipality. The latter has undertaken to, based in the following table, carry out financing from

its own funds, while the remaining part will be financed to Tirana Municipality from Central

Government.

What does it mean? It means that we are dealing with a completely private investment for the

construction and operation of the plant during all contract’s period, so for all 30 years. The

company which will be awarded for the construction of the plants, closure and rehabilitation of

existing plants of landfills, administration of waste management complex, will do it with its own

funds, an investment of 128.000.000 Euro. Complete private capital.

Municipalities which will be part of the project will deposit waste in this plant and will pay the

calculated value of 29.05 euro for waste ton which will be deposited. Disposed waste will mainly

be a production of Tirana Municipality inhabitants. Being aware of the respective budgets of the

Municipality of Tirana, Municipality of Vlora, Municipality of Kavaja and Municipality of

Kamza, it seems reasonable, that these four institutions but mainly Tirana Municipality, to be

subsidized from the state to afford disposal waste costs in the plant with a view of giving them an

entirely environmental treatment. Under these conditions, the following table shows a clearer

overview of financing value needed for these institutions for each year, based on the difference

which will be afforded by Tirana municipality itself or other municipalities.

Respectively, for first operation year, Tirana Municipality has undertaken to make available to

waste disposal payments the value of 1.000.000 Euro which converted to ton waste is equal with

payments needed for 34.365 ton/waste for a year. The difference of waste payment within the

same calendar year, the municipality will afford it with financing values that will take in its

budget from Central Government, respectively the middle column of the table. Amounts made

available from municipality, are available and secure because they are incomes from cleaning fee

that pays every citizen of Tirana and also operation costs and expenses that this institution

spends for respective enterprise which actually manages Sharra landfill.

Regarding legal status of the land and its value, we clarify that in the land, where the recycling

plant will be constructed, state is owner of 60.1% of its surface, while the other part of 39.9% is

private property, which will be expropriated with a total cost of 214 million Leke, a cost afforded

Page 80 of 125


by Tirana Municipality and the property will pass in favor of Tirana municipality in function of

project’s implementation. This area will be regulated by legislation in force, namely the Law

No.8561, dated 22.12.1999 “On expropriation and making use of private property for public

interest”, as amended, Decision No 127, dated 23.03.2000, “On the content and procedures of

application and the Notice of expropriation and taking for temporary use of private property for

public interest” and other laws.

YEARS GOVERNMENT MUNICIPALITIES

YEAR 1 6422275 1 000 000

YEAR 2 6279775 1 142 500

YEAR 3 6137775 1 284 500

YEAR 4 5995775 1 426 500

YEAR 5 5853775 1 568 500

YEAR 6 5711775 1 710 500

YEAR 7 5569775 1 852 500

YEAR 8 5427775 1 994 500

YEAR 9 5285775 2 136 500

YEAR 10 5143775 2 278 500

YEAR 11 5001775 2 420 500

YEAR 12 4859775 2 562 500

YEAR 13 4717775 2 704 500

YEAR 14 4575775 2 846 500

YEAR 15 4433775 2 988 500

YEAR 16 4291775 3 130 500

YEAR 17 4149775 3 272 500

YEAR 18 4007775 3 414 500

YEAR 19 3865775 3 556 500

YEAR 20 3723775 3 698 500

YEAR 21 3581775 3 840 500

YEAR 22 3439775 3 982 500

YEAR 23 3297775 4 124 500

YEAR 24 3155775 4 266 500

YEAR 25 3013775 4 408 500

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Abovementioned values are calculated based on daily tonnage disposed in the plant of 700

ton/day. Respectively 700 ton/day x 365 days x 29.06 euro/ton = 7.422.275 euro in a year

excluding VAT.

YEAR 26 2871775 4 550 500

YEAR 27 2729775 4 692 500

YEAR 28 2587775 4 834 500

YEAR 29 24445775 4 976 500

YEAR 30 2303775 5 118 500

ABOVE VALUES ARE EXPRESSED IN EURO

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Expenses forecast within budgetary ceilings/threshold: Referred to requirements of Article 22 of

DCM No 575, date 10.07.2013 “On approval of rules for evaluation and award of

concession/private public partnership” as amended, is necessary that expenses shall be forecasted

within budgetary thresholds of Contracting Authority, in the concrete case it is not applicable for

concessionary procedure with object “Construction of landfill, incinerator and rehabilitation of

existing Landfills Tirana”, because we are dealing with a completely private investment for the

construction and operation of the plant for all contract’s duration, thus for all 30 years. The

company which will be awarded for the construction of the plants, closure and rehabilitation of

existing plants of landfills, administration of waste management complex, will accomplish with

its own funds an investment of 128.000.000 Euro. This is the reason why the project is not

forecasted within Ministry of Environment budgetary thresholds, because this institution will not

invoice a single euro in and on behalf of the company which will be awarded in the end of the

procedure.

There are two reasons why these funds do not need to be prevised and approved in the budget of

Ministry of Environment:

1. Ministry of environment will not have any kind of financing or to cover obligations of

construction or maintenance of the plant.

2. Tirana Municipality, as the biggest authority of using this plant, will afford respective

expenses of waste disposal and of land expropriation where the plant will be constructed

through an unconditioned grant that central government allocates to local government.

This grant, in no case, has approved thresholds by laws of parliament. For this reason the

expense is also not within Tirana municipality thresholds for year 2017. On the other

side, one of the main priorities of the unconditioned grant, is that can be used by the

beneficiary for its needs.

As above, we emphasize again that the requirement of Article 22 under DCM No 575, date

10.07.2013 “On approval of rules for evaluation and award of concession/private public

partnership” as amended, is not applicable to the relevant procedure.

6.3 Revenue forecast

The revenues of the project are reported in chapter 1.2 of the Business Plan and are the

following:

Revenues from energy production

Revenues from Recycling of Materials

Price per municipal solid waste disposal or treatment

Revenues Euro

Energy production - Price per MWH 70

Recycling material - Price per Ton 70

MSW Disposal or treatment - Price per

Ton 29

Figure 37: Revenues for T.W.T.A.

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6.4 Economic feasibility of the project

As reported in the Business Plan, The project’s balance sheet represents the development of the

financial situation of the project over years. The Net tangible assets are projected to remain at the

level of EUR 128 million until the 14th year of the project. In the 15th year, is projected a new

investment of EUR 20 million for new technologies.

Clients consist of sales of the last month of the reporting period anticipating cashing period will

be about 30 days. Liquidity consists of deposits in banks and cash at the end of the year.

The liabilities comprise of share capital which is expected to be about EUR 100.5 million as

initial investment during the first five years of investment, which will then be increased with the

retained earnings.

Net cash flow from the activity is predicted to be positive starting from the first year, generating

EUR 0.7 million from the operations. The cash flow shall be increased over years up to 15

million Euros during the seventh year and onwards. Total capital investment of EUR 128 million

will be financed EUR 100.5 million from the shareholders’ capital and the remaining EUR 27.5

million from the profits generated by the project during the second to the sixth year.

Cash generated from the operations of the company is expected to be positive during each of the

projected periods and sufficient to meet the company’s financing needs for future growth or

potential diversification of activity. It should be emphasized that the return rate of this

investment based on the above assumptions is 5%, while the net value based on a return rate of

2% is about EUR 52 million.

Referring to business plan presented by the company which has made unsolicited proposal, we

re-clarify that IRR calculation is realized as follows:

Investment value extended in 6 years is 128,248,330 Euro, according to the following table:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

(38.561.888)

(40.234.938

)

(20.251.063

)

(10.533.480

)

(15.600.147

)

(3.066.813

)

Value of inflows from activity is as follows:

Based on the above data, using the formula as follows in which NPV shall be zero to find

internal rate of return (IRR) of the investment, results that IRR is 5.09.%:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7

2.253.885 4.574.215 4.685.419 6.309.546 7.235.900 8.948.765 9.363.013


9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770


9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770


9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770 9.388.770

Year 29 Year 30

9.388.770 9.388.770

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However we think that the higher IRR results, more feasible is the implementation of the project.

Regarding second point, Net Cash Value (NPV), is determined according to variable discount

rate. In finding NPV the company has used a discount rate of 2%, taking in consideration

interbank interest rate in the current period. If it is used another higher discount rate than

normally NPV will result lower.

Fee Concessionaire – The bidder, who will be awarded for this procedure, shall be liable to pay

to state 2% of incomes in the form of Fee Concessionaire in reference to legislation in force for

concessions and private public partnership.

7. RISK ANALYSIS

This chapter is intended to analyse possible risks that can influence the feasibility of the project

and the correct performance and continuous operational of the same.

The analysis will help to evaluate in qualitative terms a list potential risks that could affect

negatively the outcome of the project of MSW management of the city of Tirana. The qualitative

analysis of the risks involved in the undertaking of the project will be placed side by side with

the indication of the possible actions to manage and mitigate the risk as to guarantee the

feasibility and continuity of the project.

7.1 Location Risk

Risk description: Risk management:

The area on which the project is proposed is

not completely owned by the proponent or

by the contracting authority. Part of the area

is private property. The private property

area must be acquired by the proponent or

by the contracting authority or expropriated

by the municipality in order to achieve

ownership. The expropriation timing will

have to be taken into account in the

planning of the asset construction.

The time scale of the project may run into

implementation delays which would result

in the impossibility to dispose or treat the

MSW, economical inefficiencies and non-

The contracting authority will define the

exact extent of the boundaries of the area on

which to install the systems. The contracting

authority will define the expropriation plan

of private land involved in this project

according to the current laws and will grant

the Concessionaire all of its terrains for the

realization of the project.

The Concessionaire, as agreed with the

contracting authority, will take charge of the

expropriation compensation according to the

recognized measurements.

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compliance to EU standards in the

management of the MSW of the city of

Tirana.

7.2 Risk related to project design, construction and operation

The T.W.T.A. waste management project of the city of Tirana contains particularly innovative

elements for the Albanian state. The construction and operation of the T.W.T.A. is an ambitious

project that will place Albania in line with the European sector directives and standards. The

proposed plan involves a drastic reduction of urban waste disposal in landfills, introduces the

recovery of a large amount of waste in production of energy from incineration (Waste To

Energy).

This ambitious project has risks on the engineering and design side, on construction and on

management.

Risks of design


As the project site is concerned the risk of

design is mainly related to the possible

geological and geotechnical conditions of

the project site and the presence of

underground water. This risk may induce

extra cost for the construction of the

installations (WTE and Landfills) if the site

conditions are not optimal.

As the technologies side:

•Landfill: no risks are expected on the

design of the landfill;

•WTE: the risks of the design of the WTE

are mainly related to new regulations and

the calorific capacity of the MSW and the

electricity produced;

•Leachate treatment plant: the risk is related

to the functional design of the plant and the

The proponent has subcontracted to a

qualified company a geological site survey

with the executions of boreholes. Dew to the

dimension of the site the proponent shall

however foresee further survey to acquire

more detailed information.

On the technology side: the proponent shall

rely to international partners with specific

experience for the design and

implementation of the project and must

ensure that all components come from

qualified producers.

The WTE will be designed in 4 lines

completely independent. This will insure the

respect of new legislation or new

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capacity of the respect of the EU limits of

the discharge water.

technologies.

Risks of construction


All the plants prevised in the T.W.T.A. are

normally constructed in EU or other

countries.

Local conditions (geological/geotechnical)

may however influence the timing and the

cost of the construction.

With reference to all the plants it is possible

that new regulations or technologies will be

implemented in the time span of prevised

construction of the T.W.T.A.

The client has introduced in the Business

Plan a sum of 20 million Euro for new

technologies or unexpected costs.

Risks on operation of the landfills


A landfill must be designed, managed

during operational life and after closure for

30 years according to EU requirements.

To avoid environmental pollution and risks

the sealing systems of the landfill must be

well constructed and all safety requirements

must be applied. In case of the disposal of

organic waste to avoid risks of explosion a

LFG collection system must be planned and

The concessionary declares that the

presence of specialized personnel with

experience both as partner or subcontractor

will guarantee the compliant conduction of

the landfill.

The adoption and enforcement of

management plans in line with European

regulations allows, together with the

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correctly operated.

To avoid environmental impacts and

economic liabilities the waste must be well

compacted, covered every day and the

leachate collection and treatment system

must be kept functional.

specialized training of the personnel and

with continual audit cycles by European

technicians, for the prevention of technical

or environmental problems, enhancing the

system’s resources and will be a guarantee

of the respect of the environment.

Risks on operation of thermovalorization plant


The calorific capacity of the waste is the

main topic on the design and functional

operation of the waste. The Calorific

capacity may vary in time due to variations

of the composition of the waste in relation

to variations aspect of everyday life

(recessions, legislation, recycling, other).

A lower calorific capacity of the waste

produces an increment in O&M costs and on

the electricity produced and related

revenues.

On the environmental side the main aspect

related to the combustion of the waste is

connected to emissions of harmful

substances produced during combustion of

waste.

A further risk is that part of the ashes

produced by the WTE may be classified due

to the chemical characteristics as hazardous

waste.

The thermovalorization plant (WTE) is

designed in 4 independent lines to maintain

flexibility in the quantity of waste

incinerated. Furthermore the WTE designed

to operate with waste with a wide range of

Calorific capacity.

The T.W.T.A. also previses the construction

of a selection/treatment plant that can be

used to refine the incoming MSW as to

optimize the material that will be sent to

combustion.

On the environmental side as far as the

emissions are concerned the WTE will be

granted with a fumes treatment section in

line with modern standards and able to

guarantee the respect of the Albanian and

EU emission limits.

The T.W.T.A. previses the construction of a

cell of a landfill for hazardous waste for the

eventual disposal of the ashes from the

WTE plant.

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7.3 Economic risks

Risks of demand


Reduction of MSW disposal due to

demographic, economic or legal events or to

non-functional collection systems applied in

the District of Tirana.

The financial affordability of the plant is

related to the amount of waste disposed and

treated in the T.W.T.A.. The revenues of the

T.W.T.A. are related to the disposal rate, to

the energy produced and to the recycling of

material.

The T.W.T.A., WTE and Landfills, is

design and will be implemented in modules.

Within the first 10 years of operation the

promoter will assess the collecting system

and the amounts of waste disposed and

introduce changes if necessary.

The Concession contract must bind the

contracting authority and all municipalities

in introducing a functional collection system

in the district.

The Concession contract must include

mechanism of change in the scope of work.

Interest rate risk


Unforeseen increase in interest rates would

increase cost of financing to the

The risk of increase in interest rate in the

short run should be assumed by the

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Concessionaire, therefore potentially

negatively affecting the financial viability

Concessionaire. However, the risk of change

in interest rates in the long run must be

addressed to in the concession contract

Foreign exchange risk


As most of the components of the plants of

the T.W.T.A. are of foreign construction

and most probably the source of financing

will be in hard currency, such as EUR and

USD, the exchange rate can negatively

affect the Project.

On the other hand, the contracting authority

will be exposed to the exchange rate risk in

case the contract with the concessionaire is

in hard currency, while its revenues are in

ALL.

It is not possible to foresee the effects of this

risk in the long run and how this risk will be

managed at the onset of the transaction.

Managing of this risk will be subject of

negotiations with the potential investors.

Neither the contracting authority nor the

Concessionaire are well equipped to manage

the risk of foreign exchange variations, and

therefore the risk will likely have to be

shared, or transferred through financial

hedging.

Inflation risk


In the long term concession contracts

Concessionaire’s operation expenses will be

affected by the inflation. In addition,

considering that the construction activities

will be implemented in phases in this

Project, the costs of construction will also

be exposed to the inflation.

Indexation must be applied to the

Concession Payments in order to mitigate

the inflation risk. The contracting authority

is better positioned to mitigate the inflation

risk, because it can also apply indexation to

the Waste Tax which it collects – which is

in any event standard practice given that

prices of municipal services should grow

with the inflation

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7.4 Political and Legal risks

Local population opposition


Local stakeholders may oppose to the

construction of the plant for environmental

reasons or opportunity and influence the

time schedule of the construction and

operation of the T.W.T.A.

The proponent must insure to carry out a

proper stakeholders engagement in the

permitting phase and must insure to mitigate

the project taking into account the local

interests and eventual compensation

measures

Political risk


On June 27 2014 the Council of the

European Union approved the granting of

official candidate status to Albania. Under

these conditions the political condition in

Albania should be stable. A political risk is

related to the relationship of the

concessionaire with the municipality and the

communes of the district that will have to

dispose the MSW in the T.W.T.A.

The concession contract shall include a

guarantee that all the municipalities of the

district will dispose the waste only in the

T.W.T.A

Risks of changes in the legal framework


Change in law or regulations at an European

or local level can adversely or positively

affect the financial performance of the

concession.

Concession Contract will protect the

Concessionaire from any discriminatory

changes in local Law (i.e. Law which

applies only to the Concessionaire or its

sector of operation, rather than the whole

economy). Those changes which apply to

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the whole economy, will be responsibility of

the Concessionaire, or shared in some cases

where potential exposure is excessive.

7.5 Risks from extraordinary phenomena


The risk of force majeure such as natural

disasters, wars or civil disturbances, may be

assessed as limited in this particular project,

given Albania’s political strategic direction

of accession to European Union, and its

geographical location and climatic

characteristics.

Standards Force majeure clauses will be

included in the Concession Agreement,

which will ensure that any negative

consequences (which are highly unlikely) be

shared between the parties

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8. THE RATIONALE OF THE CONCESSION DECISION / PPP-S

In this chapter, through the assessment of the money value, an analysis is carried out and a

decision will be taken on which form of agreement, public procurement or concession/PPP

results more appropriate to implement the proposed project. The analysis will be based on the

benefits, costs and risks over the expected life of the proposed project. At the end of the analysis

it will be decided, first if the viability and sustainability of the proposed project confirmed and,

second, whether or not the concession/PPP model is more suitable for implementation.

8.1 Qualitative Assessment for the Money Value Evaluation (MVE)

The analysis will be based on some of the best models9 for this purpose, and in an appropriate set

of indicators to assess the money value. Criteria used for MVE:

(i) The best risks management, such as capital, cost of credit, technology, management,

etc.;

(ii) Affordability and effectiveness;

(iii) Income based on performance, the setting of standards and their control;

(iv) The Public Sector comparator (PSC).

The best risks management:

In all cases, we think that through concession, being also a long term contract, it is performed a

better risks management, as capital, credit costs, technology, management etc.

Referring to the risks analysis, the private sector appears more capable to manage the identified

risks because the proposed project requires significant needs of cash capital which private sector

owns and provides through this proposal. As calculated previously, construction of project

implementation according to proposed technology costs about 130 million Euro excluding VAT

and it is expected to invest in a 30 years period. Clearly, an entity remains advantageous as it

provides a significant amount of capital immediately, which the public sector is unable to

provide (difficulties of taking loan due to debt level) or even in the best case would become a

burden for its budget. The proposed solution where Municipalities part of the district will pay the

disposal fee in this project based on waste quantities it will generate, results an optimal solution

and constitutes what we call private-public partnership.

The project requires skill and professionalism for risk management for the technology and

construction of a complex plant, so needs experience, staff and management skills and

technology which private sector is able to provide better than public sector. International

experience also shows and supports this fact. For this purpose, the project requires experience,

staff, management skills and technology that the private sector is able to offer better than the

public sector. International experience also shows and supports this fact. In regard to the

technology, the proposer provides the best technology that provides better efficiency in the

recovery of waste, efficiency of the generated power and minimal environmental impacts. The

proposed technology is a proven technology and one of the best in EU countries, which makes it

sustainable in the medium and long term.

Referring to international experience as well as similar examples in Albania, municipalities face

the challenge of financial obstacles to ensure income to cover operational expenses. This makes

them unable to meet multiple needs for investment, asset maintenance or replacement of vehicles

9 GRIMSEY AND LEWIS, 2005AND PIT ET AL. 2006: UK VFM MODEL

Page 93 of 125


and equipment. Management and poor operation (not meeting the technical and environmental

conditions) of landfills or local waste disposal places in the country due to insufficient income

and lack of local capacity is a clear example of why the public sector is economically

disadvantaged to manage such complex facilities.

The public sector thus controls and monitors the performance of products and standards required,

for example, environmental standards and those concerning the recovery of waste, and can easily

apply standards in case of failure to meet them.

The proposer provides a long-term concession (30 years) which will include investment and

management for this period. Through a long-term agreement, the private sector is encouraged to

provide a quality service according to standards of performance and which optimizes

maintenance costs compared to a short-term solution.

Also, European integration of Albania underlined the immediate task to recognize the advantages

that PPP philosophy ensures in every aspect of administration or management of economic,

political and social life of Albania.

The proposed scheme allows the public sector to determine the needs and products and control

them properly. Determination of income and based products is another advantage for PPP against

public procurement. The proposer offers an interesting solution for providing the income based

on power production (sale of energy to KESH (Albanian Power Corporation)), and incomes from

the recovery of recyclable materials such as plastics and metals (scrap). This makes the

concessionaire or PPP the private sector interested to provide the best technology and

management that maximizes production and optimizes costs (therefore maximizes the value of

money), which procurement contracts cannot do. This will prevent poor performance or poor

quality of service.

The public sector thus controls and monitors the performance of products and standards required,

for example, environmental standards and those concerning the recovery of waste, and can easily

apply standards in case of failure to meet them.

The concession is one of the most common forms of application of PPPs in Albania. The

concession has an old and new history. Its use and other forms of PPPs became necessary

because of the need to fill a large range and quantity of the economy needs in the short term.

Meeting these needs requires at the same time large financial, technological and professional,

resources which cannot be provided, using classical methods of economy management.

The advantage of concessions in this regard is that the direction is in the hands of the public

sector, which is the customer and risks transferred to the private sector (concessionaire).

In conclusion, we can say that it is reasonable that the construction and management of the plant

be implemented through a concession scheme/PPP rather than a public procurement contract.

8.2 Quantification of "Money Value”

Quantitative assessment of money value is based on a comparative analysis called the Public

Sector Comparator (PSC). Despite qualitative analysis of risk analyzed above, PSC which is the

calculation of net present value of the total project costs, if this will be achieved through a

method of traditional procurement, and it is compared with the current value of the project net

cost that is realized through PPP.

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In the case of the project under study, PSC unit costs will review the following items when

compared to the PPP scenario:

Activities for the project preparation

Implementation of the project

Activities for the plant operation and maintenance

Income generating activities

All future monetary flows of the project become a net present cost, summarized in the table

below:

PSC Cash Flow Cash Flow Explanation

200’000 Euro or

about 4 Euro/ton

Preparation of the project such as preparation of technical

design, financial, legal services, studies etc., up to the cost

of procurement to the contract award, which were taken

over by the private partner. In the PSC case these costs will

be covered by the public sector in the value of 1-1.5% of

the project value.

29.05 Euro/ton 25 Euro/ton

In connection to the plant operation and maintenance

activities, regardless of the fact that the actual costs of

public sector management are always higher, for this

analysis we will consider those the same, assuming that

those operate with the same performance as the private

sector.

Figure 37: Future cash flows in the project

Although carries its own risks, we are assuming that the income generated by the public sector

are identical to those provided by the private party, as long as provided by the same source

(KESH and recycling market) therefore does not affect the PSC.

On comparability of Public Procurement and PPP-s, the value from this comparability came

out from some indicators which are the minimum possible and most used in all concessionaire

procedures. In addition, referring to the following table we note that on one side we have the

proposed concessionaire project, complete construction and operation during all its longevity

will cost 128 million euro and on the other side we have a gross costs analysis required by public

procurement of this service.

Public Procurement

-Project identification = 3.000.000 euro

-Projection and design =500.000 euro

-Best possible solution =300.000 euro

-Know How=1.000.000 euro

-Assets in the end =130.000.000 euro

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-Profit margin of Constructor =13,480,000 euro

Total 148.280.000 euro

Regarding the identification of the project, we clarify that Ministry of Environment or Tirana

Municipality could not perform a more accurate and complete identification of the project than

the one made by the proponent company, not only because does not have specialized staff to this

end but also cannot contract specialized companies for this purpose because it has never had

3.000.000 euro in its budget to invest in this sector.

Form a testing we carried out in the market, contracting specialized companies to perform this

process results that the value of contract we would need to pay is about 3.000.000 euro.

Projection and design of such a project, feasibility study in the best option costs at least 500.000

euro, because this kind of study requires deep knowledge of surveying, environmental,

economic, technical, hydrological, forest etc.

Only the identification of the best possible solution to define which kind of project or final

solution to the problematic created in Sharra landfill, would cost at least 300.000 euro, because

in our country’s practice has often happened that investments implemented have resulted not the

best solution and after having spent millions of euros, others are spent again to achieve the best

possible solution. Ministry of Environment does not have staff with capacities in this field,

meaning that it needs to contract a specialized company.

Regarding Know How of the proponent company, please note that we are dealing with a

company which in its origin country and in all EU countries is a leader. Thus a Know How value

of this company is 1.000.000 Euro.

Regarding assets value in the end, we clarify that after completion of contracts time limit, entire

assets of the plant together with operating equipment will be delivered to Tirana Municipality,

total value of which will be to the amount of 130.000.000 euro.

Regarding profit margin of investor that would require to take on procurement the above project,

we have taken in consideration a minimum margin of 10% on project’s value, at level of

13,480,000 euro.

Also, in the case of procurement, consideration shall be paid to value of money on time, because

payments which need to be made to the contractor in this case will have an extension until 3

years as a maximum because this the maximum time limit of MBP and as a result the annual

payment will be at a level of 494.266.667 euro (148,280,00 / 3 years), while in the case of 30

year concession, is at annual level 7,409,500 euro (700t * 365 *29euro/t) and in the second case

this payment covers not only the investment costs but also annual cost of landfill operation.

8.3 Classification of the project as "inside" or "outside" government balance

sheet

Risk allocation will also be used as a basic tool to specify whether this concession scheme/PPP is

classified as “inside” or “outside” government balance sheet according to the rules of the

European Accounts System (ESA95). To make this assessment it is required to analyze in

relation to the risks and rewards according to the combination method of allocations of the three

following types of risks: the construction risk, availability risk and the demand risk.

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To consider the project off the government balance sheet, it means that the private sector

undertakes to cover the construction risk, and at least one between the availability risk or demand

risk.

The construction and technology risk: As proposed in this study, the risk of design, study,

provision of permits and licenses, construction and appropriate technology, payment within a

period of 30 years, the environmental risks associated with the emissions and emissions, revenue

related risks (management) will be taken over by the private sector. If the private sector fails to

fulfill the undertaken risks and does not cure these shortcomings within the time limit stipulated

in the contract to be entered into, the public sector will not deliver the waste into the landfill.

Availability risk: concession contract/PPP will be based on standards related to the construction

and operation of the plant, product performance and environmental standards which must be met

by the private sector. If these principles are not met then penalties associated with these

standards will be imposed. Even this risk can be taken by the private partner.

The risk of demand: Providing sufficient amount of waste that must be delivered to plant

corresponding to the projected capacity of the plant and the revenue required to cover the costs

of operation, for a minimum of 30 years, but also a supplementary term, is a risk to be taken over

by the public sector, which should guarantee by indicating the possibility of setting a minimum

value of quantities of waste streams by setting a fixed quota. If the minimum fixed quota

declared by the public sector will not be met, then a previously agreed value will be paid which

by some means makes the risk to be covered by the Public Sector. On the other hand, if the

Public Sector realizes the supply of the full amount of waste, it will receive from the private

sector the real competitive value with which he has offered. Also the Public Sector must

guarantee the private partner to buy the electric energy produced by guaranteeing its minimum

value.

Regarding pessimistic schemes of lack of waste quantity, we clarify that the feasibility study is

based to the option which in the first five years of activity is taken in consideration the

management of about 550-650 ton/waste in a day. If we take in consideration a minimum

quantity of 700 ton/waste in a day, then risk quantification of failure to complete the prevised

quantity will be about 5.8 million Euro according to years as follows:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total

Daily pessimistic quantity (ton/day) 550 550 550 650 650

Minimum daily guaranteed (ton/day) 700 700 700 700 700

Daily difference to be guaranteed

(ton/year)

150 150 150 50 50

Annual quantity to be guaranteed

(ton/day)

54.750 54.750 54.750 18.250 18.250 200.750

Price per ton (Euro/ton) 29 29 29 29 29 29

Risk quantification in Euro 1.587.750 1.587.750 1.587.750 529.250 529.250 5.821.750

However, this is a negative scenario realized on base of a hypothetical situation, because studies

so far, even before the territorial division which doubled the inhabitants of Tirana Municipality

and also with the new territorial division, we have a minimum quantity of waste about 700-800

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ton a day. Thus we are convinced that there will be no need for further investments to cover the

proposed obligation of 700 ton.

Other issues suggested by the ESA 95 to be considered are the financial risks that are expected to

be taken by the private partner to provide financing and loan and not by the Public Sector.

Meanwhile the public sector, must guarantee the minimum amount of waste and the purchase of

electric energy produced.

If any possible deferral of the concession contract/PPP is not applied, the plant with all the tools

and equipment shall be transferred to the public sector after termination of the concession

contract/PPP.

At the end of the analysis, we can say that the project is classified as off the balance sheet of the

public partner and the private sector undertakes to address the above risks.

9. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONFORMITY This project shall be in compliance with the legislation as follows:

9.1 On environment

-Law No 10 431 date 09/06/2011 « On Environment Protection », as amended.

In this legal framework on environment protection, apart from general dispositions which set the

principles for environment protection, an interest for the given project has the ”polluter pays”

principle, foreseen under article 12 of the law:

“Natural or legal person, whose action or inaction affects the environmental pollution, bears

financial responsibility, bearing the costs caused by this damage or the risk of environmental

damage. Such costs include the costs of environmental damage assessment, evaluation of the

necessary measures, and the costs of avoiding environmental damage, including the costs of

rehabilitation and compensation of the natural or legal persons affected”.

It is also worth mentioning the obligation that the activity operator (investment subject) has for

conformity monitoring, in compliance with article 44 of the aforementioned law.

“The operator of the activities included in categories A, B and C, referred to in Article 29 of this

law, monitors the emissions of its activities, in accordance with the provisions foreseen by the

legislation on environmental permits and conditions prescribed in the relevant environmental

permits.”

2. The operator referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article monitors the leakage sources of its

activities and performs other monitoring activities, using equipment and instruments approved

through the procedure for measurement verification, as foreseen in the special legislation and in

accordance with the conditions specified in the relevant environmental permit, and maintains

these devices and instruments in proper working condition.

3. The operator can carry out the monitoring activities through accredited equipment and

instruments available to him or through specialized and accredited laboratories.

4. The results of self-monitoring are presented to the relevant authorities, in accordance with

the legislation on environmental permits and conditions prescribed in the relevant environmental

permits.”

According to article 68 of the aforementioned law, it is specified that:

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“Licensing of activities affecting the environment

Activities affecting the environment, as defined by this law, are licensed under Law no. 10 081,

dated 23.2.2009 “On licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania” and

included in area III of its annex.”

Law no. 10 448 dated 14/07/2011 “On environmental permits”, as amended.

Article 4 of the law “On environmental protection” defines:

In accordance with the law Nr.10431, dated 9.6.2011 "On Environmental Protection", a three-

level system of environmental permits, type A, B and C is established ... “

Under Article 10 of the law “On Environmental Permits”, it is provided that:

“Requests for Environmental Permits type A, B and C are presented in the NLC, in accordance

with the general requirements, pursuant to the provisions of Law No. 10 081, dated 23.2.2009"

On licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania” .

According to Appendix I section 5.1 b of the Law "On environmental permits":

Incineration of waste, including animal waste in an installation incineration other than that

referred to in paragraph 5.1 a, incineration installation is used or is designed to burn waste

intensity more than 1 ton / hour installation incineration is used or is designed for burn waste

intensity equal to 1 ton / hour or less than that

-Instruction no. 4 dated 15.04.2013 “On the documentation required for environmental

permits of type A, B, and C in the National Licensing Centre (NLC)”.

According to Chapter II of the instruction, the documentation needed to be presented in the NCL

in order to receive a type A environmental permit is as follows:

“A report (project) for the activity requiring an environmental permit where depending on the

nature of the activity shall be included data on:

Scope of activity and the estimated date of operation of the installations;

Description of the activity location associated with an illustrative map and photos of the object;

Description of the technological processes of the activity;

The type, volume, consumption and production of raw materials as specified by the Appendix I

attached;

Detailed information on environmental emissions, as specified by the Appendix II attached;

Information on the quality of air and surface water in the activity area where the environmental

emissions will be conducted (refer to existing data produced within the national environmental

monitoring program, in case there are no data argument the need and ability of conducting the

relevant measurements);

g) The points where air emissions will be carried out and where wastewater will be discharged

(only after they meet the quality required for discharge, as defined in the relevant legal acts).

These points should be reflected in a special map and accompanied with corresponding

coordinates;

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h) Risks / potential environmental accidents caused by the activity and the need to prevent

accidents or minimize the effects on the environment if they do happen;

i) Measures for the capture and treatment of environmental pollution and emissions, as specified

in the Annex III which aim to:

Implement the best options available in order to prevent, or when not applicable, reduce

emissions from the installation / plant:

Minimize / eliminate significant pollution;

Prevent waste generation, in accordance with the law for integrated waste management; in case

of waste generation, waste should be disposed in order to avoid or reduce their environmental

impact;

Efficient energy use;

Take all necessary measures to prevent accidents and minimize their impacts;

Take all measures to eliminate risks of pollution and creating favorable conditions in the

installation / plant after cessation of its operation;

j) Program of environmental emissions self-monitoring, as specified in the Appendix III;

k) A Waste management plan in compliance with the requirements of law no. 10 463, dated

22.9.2011 “On integrated waste management”;

l) A rehabilitation plan for activities that exploit mineral resources (river quarry and coarse

sand). The rehabilitation plan is drawn according to the requirements foreseen by Decision no. 3,

dated 21.6.2006 of the National Water Council "On the rehabilitation of the river beds and river

banks damaged from the use of inert”, as well as instruction no.3, dated 17.5.2006 “On the

rehabilitation plan of surfaces damaged from quarries ”

m) plans on coping with those emergencies and accidents that have an environmental impact; for

activities that use, produce and store (deposit) substances that are dangerous to the environment

and health of people, or substances and preparations described under Article 5 of Law no. 9108,

dated 17.7.2003 "On chemical substances and preparations" and under the provisions of Chapter

VIII of the Law no. 10 431, dated 9.6.2011 "On Environmental Protection";

n) The compilers of the information provided under point 3.1, certificate of the expert approved

by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management and respective signatures or

sealing, while in case of a legal entity the license of the subject must be submitted and respective

signatures or sealing.

Information about public consultation activities where the public is informed on the

environmental impact of the activity and environmental protection measures, and expresses its

opinion on the matter which is documented and presented to the NLC. The information is

presented to the NLC, as a record including the date and place of the public consultation, a

signed presence list, pictures from the meeting and opinions exchanged from the participants

during the meeting. The record is signed / sealed by the subject applying for an environmental

permit.

A copy of the paid service fee for reviewing the request / application for an environmental permit

type A, B and C as defined in the Instruction no. 5, dated 25.12.2007 "On the service fees for

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environmental permits." Depending on the project, the fee is paid only once and serves for both

procedures. "

- DCM. No. 419, dated 25.06.2014 “On the approval of the special requirements for

processing requests for environmental permit types a, b and c, for the transfer of licenses

from one subject to another, the conditions for the respective environmental permits, as

well as detailed rules for their review from competent authorities to issue these permits by

NLC ".

-Instruction No. 5, dated 25.12.2007 has been abolished and currently in effect is the DCM

No. 417, dated 25.06.2014 "On approval of the environmental permit fees".

According to this decision, the relevant service fee for processing the application is:

“a) for environmental permit type A, 50,000 (fifty thousand) Albanian lekë."

-Law No. 10 081, dated 23.2.2009 "On licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic

of Albania", as amended.

-DCM No. 175, dated 19.01.2011 "On approval of the National Waste Management Plan

and National Waste Management".

NSWM determines the direction of the Albanian government politics for the sustainable

management of waste until 2025, the main mechanisms for necessary investment in the waste

sector, as well as the need for a two-stage financing process.

NSWM also establishes mechanisms for a better coordination of financing for the central

government as well as of international donors, to better serve his country in the challenges, to

create an integrated system of longer-term and sustainable waste management.

The success of the implementation of this strategy will be to secure the required financing (One

of the main pillars of Policy) of the needs for infrastructure and building capacity in order to

fulfill obligations of the strategy, as well as towards its implementation plan.

The implementation of the strategy through the National Plan of Waste Management will:

□ Ensure the collection of waste streams, separated from each other, and extending all over

Albania for paper, glass, metal and plastics;

□ Aim to stop increasing the amount of municipal waste produced until 2020;

□ Achieve to recycle/compost 25% of municipal waste until 2015 and 55% until 2020;

□ Recuperate energy by 15% of the amount of municipal waste;

□ Reduce the disposal of municipal waste in landfill (landfills) to about 30%, from 90%

which is currently.

□ Provide advising for the businesses on minimizing the amount of waste and, to develop

job markets for recycling and its costs to be reduced

-LAW No.8094, dated 21.3.1996 "On the public disposal of waste," represents the only act

addressing the necessary rules for public waste removal inside the communal territories, aiming

for a good level of protection of the urban environment from pollution caused by them.

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- DCM No.705, dated 10.10.2012 "On waste management of vehicles at the end of life ".

- DCM No. 765, dated 07.11.2012 "On approval of rules for the separate collection and

treatment of used oils”

- DCM No.866, dated 12.04.2012 "For batteries, accumulators and their waste".

- DCM No.957, dated 19.12.2012 "On waste from electrical and electronic equipment".

- DCM No. 117, dated 13.02.2013 "On the basis of criteria which determine when certain

types of scrap metal, cease to be waste”, changed

- DCM No. 798, dated 29.09.2010 "On the management of medical waste."

- DCM No. 229, dated 23.04.2014 "On the approval of rules for the transfer of non-

hazardous waste and information to be included in the documents of the transfer."

- DCM No.371, dated 11.06.2014 "On approval of regulations for hazardous waste delivery

and of their document delivery."

- DCM No.418, dated 25.06.2014 "On the separate collection of waste at source".

- DCM No.608, dated 17.09.2014 "On the definition of the necessary measures for the

collection and treatment of bio-waste and the criteria and deadlines for reducing them. "

-DCM No. 641, dated 01.10.2014 "On approval of rules for waste export and transit of non-

hazardous waste and inert waste."

-Instruction No. 17, dated 12.01.2012 "On the approval of the regulatory framework for

the safe management of medical waste."

-Law No. 9108, dated 17.7.2003 "On chemical substances and preparations".

- DCM No. 127, dated 11.02.2015 "Requirements for use in agriculture of sludge

wastewater".

-DCM No.387, dated 06.05.2015 "On the rules for controlling the disposal of PCB / PCT's,

anti-contamination or disposal of equipment containing PCB / PCT and / or disposal of

waste PCB’s / PCT’s used ".

-DCM No.575, dated 06.24.2015 "On the approval of requests for management of solid

waste"

- DCM No.687, dated 07.29.2015 "On approval of rules for maintaining, updating and

publication of statistics of waste"

9.2 Thermovalorization plant location criteria

-DCM No. 99 dated 19.11.1998 "On approval of Urban Planning Regulations", as

amended.

Paragraph 105 of Chapter I “Norms, regulations and conditions of an urban project”, provides

that: “The industrial area comprises territories of industrial objects (in the cities of category I,

II, III are also comprised the territories of commercial wholesalers etc). Its size depends on the

type of the city (industrial, agricultural-industrial, etc.) The industrial area should be connected

with all roads of heavy and outbound traffic. Its position next to the residential area is

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determined considering the wind rose for the city, as well as distances and sanitary protection

zones in order to avoid potential damage caused by pollution, noise, leakage etc.

Infrastructure network of the industrial zone should be independent from the other areas of the

city ".

In paragraph 107 it is foreseen that:

“Sanitary protection area and nursery are estimated as a separate area when not included in the

special green area of the city. For the plant nursery area the given rate at the special green area

from 08-2m2/capita is divided into:

a) surface for hardwood seedlings and decorative shrubs, 0.6-1.5 m2 / capita;

b) Surface for greenhouses and decorative flowers, 02 -05 m2 / capita”.

Moreover, in paragraph 108 it is specified that:

“The size of the sanitary protection zones is dependent to the level of pollution of industrial

buildings, the site relief and the wind rose.

According to its width, sanitary protection areas are classified into five groups:

- The first group, a sanitary protection area with a width not less than 700 m;

- The second group, a sanitary protection area with a width not less than 500 m;

- The third group, a sanitary protection area with a width not less than 300 m;

- The fourth group, a sanitary protection area with a width not less than 100 m;

- The fifth group, a sanitary protection area with a width not less than 50 m".

-In article 57 of Law No. 111/2010, dated 15.12.2012 “On integrated water resource

management”, it is foreseen that:

“Hygiene-sanitary protection areas are identified around surface or underground water resources

that supply the urban population with water, in order to preserve the quality of the water source.

The borders of these areas are approved by the Council of Minister with the proposal of the

minister, minister responsible for economy, minister responsible for health and minister

responsible for internal affairs.

Hygiene-sanitary protection areas comprise:

First area surrounding the source is controlled by the operator who releases, produces and

distributes drinking water. This area is fenced.

The area of close protection, within which construction, development of the industry,

conducting of agricultural and livestock production activities, wells digging, trenching,

pollutants, wastewater, chemical and toxic substances deposit or discharge, , the use of

chemical residues and pesticides, use as a burial or burial of dead animals, is forbidden."

Furthermore, article 67 titled "Prohibited activities along the coasts and beaches" of the

aforementioned law provides that:

"1. Along the coastlines, beaches and flood zones are prohibited:

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The change or relocation of the plant cover whether natural or artificial;

Receipt of inert materials; sand, gravel, stones or turf;

Construction of parking places for vessels and vehicles;

ç) The creation of dry-spots for nets;

Excavation, drilling or rinses;

dh) Tossing or depositing of inert materials arising from building demolitions, various

excavations, as well as other waste generation activities;

Discharge of untreated urban and industrial waste.

-Law No. 9244, dated 17.6.2004 “On protection of agricultural land”, changed

Under Article 14, entitled "Protection of agricultural land from construction" it is provided that:

1. Construction activity is prohibited in agricultural lands, except under the cases provided by

points 2 and 4 of this article.

2. The proposal to expand the boundaries of the construction in areas of agricultural land is

prepared based on the regional studies and master plans, only when confirmed and argued:

a) Total absence of other physical surfaces with unoccupied urban land, within the construction

lines;

b) Absence of urban land surfaces, which can be reused by demolishing old buildings and

constructing new ones, in accordance with urban planning rules and regulations;

c) Absence of other unproductive land or with low fertility soil, according to fertility.

Rationalization for these cases is prepared by the authority charged with preparation and

justification of the study.

3. In case local government structures, in charge of protection of agricultural land, do not agree

in expanding the existing construction boundaries in the agricultural land area, they may present

their complaints to the relevant bodies.

4. On Agricultural lands are permitted only temporary buildings which are not connected to a

sustainable and permanent way with the land, which are necessary for the conduct of agricultural

and farming activity.

Under Article 15 "Protection of river beds and banks," the aforementioned law establishes

that:

"1. Rising and career exploitation of materials and other solid substances along the rivers are not

allowed when:

a) Both sides or one side of the river are directly bordered to the agricultural land;

b) It is estimated that during the river flow, from the career rising, changes in the natural water

flow may happen, which may damage the agricultural functions of the land..."

-Law no. 10 440, dated 07/07/2011 "On environmental impact assessment".

The activity of solid waste incineration is categorized according to the aforementioned law, in

Appendix I.

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According to this Appendix, subject to the in-depth environmental impact procedure are:

"Installations for waste disposal, for incineration, chemical treatment, under section D9 of non-

hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 50 tons per day, as defined in the law" On

integrated waste management ".

Under section D9, Annex I, of the Law "On integrated waste management" the disposal

operations are specified, "Land incineration ".

According to article 10 of the law “On environmental impact assessment” it is foreseen:

“The developer of the projects that have an environmental impact subject to this law, submits at

the National Licensing Centre, apart from the documents required by law nr.10 081, dated

23.2.2009 "On licenses, authorizations and permits in the Republic of Albania”, also the specific

documentation for environmental impact assessment, including:

b) for projects of Appendix I:

i) an in-depth environmental impact assessment report prepared according to the type of the

project

ii) a non-technical summary of the environmental impact assessment report;

iii) technical project of the activity;

iv) information on public information and consultation;

v) payment of the service fee, as specified in article 27 of this law”.

According to article 12 of the law “On environmental impact assessment”, it is foreseen that:

“In the end of the in-depth environmental impact assessment procedure, the minister issues an

environmental declaration which may suggest to the planning authority:

a) Approval of the project development permit, without any remarks concerning the

environment;

b) Approval of the project development permit/license, with the conditions that must be met

by the developer in order to prevent, minimize and manage environmental negative

impacts;

c) Refusal of the project development request for permit/license due to significant negative

environmental impacts with a long-term effect that damage the quality of the

environment and do not allow the fulfilment of the relevant environmental standards.

9.3 Specific provisions for thermovalorization plants

Decision of the CM No. 178, dated 6.3.2012 ON WASTE INCINERATION

According to Chapter IV of this decision,

“General requirements to be met for an environmental permit request:

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the law "On Environmental Permits", the request for an

environmental permit in order to operate an incineration or co-incineration plant should include a

description of the measures which guarantee that:

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a) The plant is designed, equipped and is operated in such a way that the requirements of this

decision take into account the categories of waste to be incinerated;

b) Heat generated during the incineration and co-incineration process will be recovered as much

as possible, e.g. through combined heat and power, steam generation from the process or

providing heat to the building of that area;

c) Waste will be minimized both in their amount and harmfulness and, where possible, will be

recycled;

ç) Elimination of waste that cannot be prevented, reduced or recycled will be carried out in

accordance with applicable law;

d) the plant is designed, built, equipped and operated in such a way as to prevent air emissions

which cause significant increase of the base level of air pollution, in particular discharge gasses

will be released in a controlled manner and in accordance with relevant legislation on air quality

standards, through a stack the height of which is calculated in such a way as to preserve human

health and the environment;

dh) Infectious medical waste will be placed directly in the oven, without first being mixed with

other waste categories and without being directly affected;

e) Management of the incineration or co-incineration plant will be in the hands of a natural

person who has the skills to manage the plant. "

Still according to chapter V of this Decision:

“The conditions that must be included in an environmental permit for the operation of an

incineration or co-incineration plant are:

1. Despite of what has been foreseen in the law “On environmental permits”, the environmental

permit granted for the operation of an incineration or co-incineration plant, apart from fulfilment

of applicable conditions specified in the law “On environmental permits”, in normative acts for

wastewater treatment, air quality, pollution caused by dangerous substances discharged

onto water and landfill waste disposal, must also include the following information and

requests:

a) Clearly list the types of waste allowed to be treated. The list should, at least, use, the waste

categories defined in the Albanian Waste Catalogue, as specified in the Decision of the Council

of Ministers no. 99, dated 18.2.2005 “On approval of list of waste” and include information

regarding the quantity of waste, when relevant.

b) Include the total capacity of the incineration or co-incineration plant.

c) Specify the procedures of how the samples are taken and measured to fulfil the obligations on

periodical measurement of water and air pollutants.

SPECIFIC OPERATING CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT REGARDING AIR EMISSION LIMIT VALUES

“Incineration plant must be designed, equipped, built and operated in a way so that the

released gases do not pass emission limit values specified in Annex V of this decision”

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SPECIFIC OPERATING CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE INLUDED IN THE

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT REGARDING WASTEWATER LEAKAGE CAUSED BY

PURIFICATION OF EMISSION GAS

“Wastewater leakage in the water environment, resulting from purification of gas emissions, will

be limited as much as possible and will not, in any case, have values higher than emission limit

values specified in Annex IV of this decision”.

It is also foresees that:

“The incineration and co-incineration plant sites, including waste storage areas, will be

designed so that unauthorized and accidental drainage of pollutants into the soil, surface and

underground waters is prevented, in accordance to the provisions specified in the relevant

legislation in force”.

On the contents of Annexes V and IV, refer to the attached DCM.

-Decision of the Council of Ministers no.99, dated 18.02.2005 "On the approval of the

Albanian Catalogue of waste classification”, as amended.

According to the definitions, it is specified that:

“For the purpose of this decision are considered dangerous:

a) The wastes described under Annex 1, marked with "*", which represent one or more of

the properties listed under Annex II or have one or more substances listed under Annex IV

";

Ash with code 19 01 13* “Fly ash that contains hazardous substances”, if it contains one of

the properties below, it considered a dangerous substance.

According to Annex II of the DCM:

“Hazardous wastes are those wastes that manifest one or more of the properties described

below from H1 to H4:

‘H5 “Harmful”: substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they

penetrate the skin, may involve limited health risks.

H6 “‘Toxic”: substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they

penetrate the skin, may involve serious, acute or chronic health risks and even death.

H7 “Carcinogenic”: substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they

penetrate the skin, may induce cancer or increase its incidence.

WASTE FROM WASTE, WASTEWATER (NOT ON SITE) TREATMENT PLANTS AND

WATER PREPARATION FOR HUMAN AND INDUSTRIAL USE:

19 01 Waste from incineration or pyrolysis of waste

19 01 02 Ferrous materials removed from bottom ash

19 01 05* Filter cake from gas treatment

19 01 06* Aqueous liquid wastes from gas treatment and other aqueous liquid wastes

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19 01 07* Solid waste from gas treatment

19 01 10* Spent activated carbon from flue gas treatment

19 01 11* Bottom ash and slag containing dangerous substances

19 01 12 Bottom ash and slag other than that indicated in 19 01 11

19 01 13* Fly ash containing dangerous substances

19 01 14 Fly ash other than that indicated in 19 01 13

19 01 15* Boiler dust containing dangerous substances

19 01 16 Boiler dust other than those mentioned in 19 01 15

19 01 17* Pyrolysis wastes containing dangerous substances

19 01 18 Pyrolysis wastes other than those mentioned in 19 01 17

19 01 19 Sands from fluidised beds

19 01 99 Other wastes

19 02 Wastes from physical or chemical treatment of waste (including the removal of

chromium or cyanide and neutralising)

19 02 03 Premixed wastes, composed only of non-hazardous waste

19 02 04* Premixed wastes, consisting of at least one hazardous waste

19 02 05* Sludge from physical or chemical treatment containing dangerous substances

19 02 06 Sludges from physical or chemical treatment other than those mentioned in 19 02

05

19 02 07* Oil and concentrates from separation

19 02 08* Liquid combustible wastes containing dangerous substances

19 02 09* Solid combustible wastes containing dangerous substances

19 02 10 Combustible wastes other than those mentioned in 19 02 08 and 19 02 09

19 02 11* Other wastes containing dangerous substances


19 03 Stabilized or solidified wastes

19 03 04* Waste, classified as hazardous, partially stabilized

19 03 05 Stabilized wastes other than those mentioned in 19 03 04

19 03 06* Waste, classified as hazardous, solidified

19 03 07 Solidified wastes other than those mentioned in 19 03 06

19 04 Vitrified waste and wastes from vitrification

19 04 01 Vitrified waste

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19 04 02* Fly ash and other wastes from gas treatment

19 04 03* Non-vitrified solid phase

19 04 04 Aqueous liquid wastes from vitrified waste

19 05 Wastes from aerobic treatment of solid wastes

19 05 01 Non-composted fraction of municipal and similar wastes

19 05 02 Non-composted fraction of animal and vegetable waste

19 05 03 Compost that do not meet established requirements


19 06 Wastes from anaerobic treatment of waste

19 06 03 Liquor from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste

19 06 04 Digestate from anaerobic treatment of municipal waste

19 06 05 Liquor from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste

19 06 06 Digestate from anaerobic treatment of animal and vegetable waste


19 07 Landfill leachate

19 07 02* Landfill leachate containing dangerous substances

19 07 03 Landfill leachate other than those mentioned in 19 07 02

19 08 Wastes from water treatment plants not otherwise specified in the list

19 08 01 Examinations

19 08 02 Wastes from sand trap

19 08 05 Sludges from treatment of urban waste water

19 08 06* Saturated or spent ion exchange resins

19 08 07* Solutions and sludges from regeneration of ion exchangers

19 08 08* Waste containing heavy metals membrane systems

19 08 09 Fat- and oil mixture from oil-water separation containing only edible oil and fats

19 08 10* Other fat- and oil mixture from oil separation other than those mentioned in 19 08

09

19 08 11* Sludges containing dangerous substances from biological treatment of industrial

waste water

19 08 12 Sludges from biological treatment of industrial waste water other than those

mentioned in 19 08 11

19 08 13* Sludges containing dangerous substances from other treatment of industrial waste

water

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19 08 14 Sludges from other treatment of industrial waste water other than those mentioned

in 19 08 13


19 09 Waste from preparation of water for human and industrial use

19 09 01 Waste from the production of drinking water or water for industrial use

19 09 02 Solid waste from primary filtration and screenings

19 09 03 Sludges from decarbonation

19 09 04 Spent activated carbon

19 09 05 Saturated or spent ion exchange resins

19 09 06 Solutions and sludges from regeneration of ion exchangers


19 10 Wastes from shredding of metal waste

19 10 01 Iron- and steel waste

19 10 02 Disposal of non-ferrous metals

19 10 03* Fluff" - light fraction and dust containing dangerous substances

19 10 04 Other "fluff" - light fraction and dust other than those mentioned in 1910 03

19 10 05* Other fractions containing dangerous substances

19 10 06 19 10 06 Other fractions other than those mentioned in 19 10 05

19 11 Waste from oil regeneration

19 11 01* Spent filter clays

19 11 02* Acid tar

19 11 03* Aqueous liquid wastes

19 11 04* Wastes from cleaning of fuel with bases

19 11 05* Sludge from effluent treatment other containing dangerous substances

19 11 06 Sludges from effluent treatment other than those mentioned in 19 11 05

19 11 07* Waste from flue-stack cleaning


19 12 Wastes from the mechanical treatment of waste (e.g. sortening, crushing, compression)

19 12 01 Paper and paperboard

19 12 02 Ferrous metals

19 12 03 Non-ferrous metals

19 12 04 Plastics and rubber

19 12 05 Glass

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19 12 06* Wood containing dangerous substances

19 12 07 Wood other than that mentioned in 19 12 06

19 12 08 Textiles

19 12 09 Minerals (ex. sand, stone)

19 12 10 Combustible waste (refuse derived combustion)

19 12 11* Other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of

waste containing dangerous substances

19 12 12 Other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of

wastes other than those specified in 19 12 11

19 13 Wastes from soil and groundwater remediation

19 13 01* Solid wastes from soil remediation containing dangerous substances

19 13 02 Solid wastes from soil remediation other than those mentioned in 19 13 01

19 13 03* Sludges from soil remediation containing dangerous substances

19 13 04 Sludges from soil remediation other than those mentioned in 19 13 03

19 13 05* Sludges from groundwater remediation containing dangerous substances

19 13 06 Sludges from groundwater remediation other than those mentioned in 19 13 05

19 13 07* Aqueous liquid wastes and aqueous concentrates from groundwater remediation

containing dangerous substances

19 13 08 Aqueous liquid wastes and aqueous concentrates from finishing

groundwater than those specified in 19 13 07

9.4 On air pollution

-Under the law no.10 431 dated 09/06/2011 “On Environmental Protection”, article 16

foresees:

“Air protection includes measures for protection of its components and its quality, with the aim

of avoiding or reducing damage effects on human health, quality of life and environment in

general, as well as prevention and reduction of pollution that causes damage of ozone layer and

global climate changes”.

-Decision of the CM No. 435 dated 12/09/2002 “On approval of air emissions in the

Republic of Albania”, as amended.

Annex nr.2, paragraph 4 “Waste treatment” foresees:

“5.1 Great pollution sources

5.1.1 Solid urban waste plant

Emission norms [mg/ m3 ] for Reference Referral

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Solid

substances

(LN)

Sulphur

dioxide

S02

Nitrogen

oxide

NO2

Carbon

oxide

CO

others oxygen

content

O2 [%]

conditions

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Plants with capacity up to 1 t/or burned waste, including value 1 t/or

10 50 80 50 201)

17 A

202)

Other plants

25 50 80 50 201)

11 A

302)

23)

0.14)

2.05)

1.06)

0.1

Nanog/m3

Note:

1. Organic compounds expressed as general carbon

2. Gaseous chlorine compounds expressed as hydrogen chloride

3. Gaseous fluorine compounds composed of hydrogen fluoride

Mercury, thallium and cadmium in a gas, fluid and solid state

5. Arsenic, nickel, chrome and cobalt in a gas, fluid and solid state

6. Lead, copper and manganese in a gas, fluid and solid state.

7. Dioxin (2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzodioxin)

Requests for construction, equipment or functioning of technological processes

1) These lines shall not be used for incineration of animal bodies or remains.

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2) The boiler must be designed in a way to hold permanent under-pressure in this space and

the drawn air must be sent to the firebox. When the firebox doesn’t function, air from

container must be discharged into the air after consultation with the air control

authorities.

3) Temperature in the combustion space beyond the final air entrance must be kept at least

850°C and incineration products must be kept in this space for at least 2 seconds with an

oxygen content of at least 6% in volume. For special designs, for example, pyrolysis

oven, conditions must be set out by air protection authorities.

4) Devices must be constructed so to ensure sufficient rest time of waste in the fire space in

order to reach full incineration and the time to send waste in the firebox must correspond

with staying time.

5) The incineration of urban and hazardous waste in small incineration plants with heating

power lower than 350kw is forbidden. This ban does not apply to hazardous hospital

waste, which because of their composition cannot be disposed as solid waste.

Law “On Environmental Permitting” defines “Emission Limit Values” under article 14.

Therefore, this article specifies that:

“Environmental permit of type A for new incineration plants contains conditions for sulphur

dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dust discharge, which are as demanding as emission limit values

defined in the B part of Annex 3 to 7 of this law”.

In Annex 3, part B of the law “On Environmental Permitting”, it is foreseen that:

“Emission limit values for SO2 – solid fuel”

Part B

Emission limit values of SO2 expressed in mg/Nm3

(O2 is 6 per cent) must be applied by new

plants according to article 21 (1) except gas turbines.

Type of fuel 50 - 100 MWth 100 - 300 MWth >300 MWth

Biomass 200 200 200

General case 850 200 200

Note: When emission limit values cannot be reached, due to fuel characteristics, installations will

reach 300 mg/Nm3 SO2, or a desulphurisation of at least 92 per cent in case of plants with a

nominal thermal capacity of less or equal to 300 MWth and in case of plants with a nominal

thermal capacity more than 300 MWth, will apply a desulphurization rate of at least 95 per cent

together with allowed maximum emission limit values of 400 mg/Nm3”

.

In Appendix 4, part B it is specified that:

“Emission limit values of SO2, expressed in mg/Nm3


plants in compliance with article 21 (1), except gas turbines.

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50 - 100 MWth 100 - 300 MWth > 300

MWth

850 400 - 200

(linear fall) 200

In Appendix 5, part B it is specified that

“Emission limit values of SO2, expressed in mg/Nm3


plants in compliance with article 21 (1),

Type of fuel Limit values (mg/Nm3)

Gaseous fuels in general 35

Liquid gas 5

Gas with low thermal power from coke

oven 400

Low thermal power gases from furnaces 200

In Appendix 6, part B it is specified that

“Emission limit values of NOx, expressed in mg/Nm3, must be applied by new plants in

compliance with article 21 (1), except gas turbines.

Solid fuel (O2 is 6percent)

Type of fuel 50 - 100 MWth 100 - 300 MWth > 300 MWth

Biomass 400 300 200

General case 400 200 200

Liquid fuels (O2 is 3 per cent)

50 - 100 MWth 100 - 300 MWth > 300 MWth

400 200 200

Gaseous fuels (O2 is 3 per cent)

Type of fuels 50 - 300 MWth > 300 MWth

Natural gas (note 1) 150 100

Other gases 200 200

Note:

1) Natural gas is natural methane with no more than 20 per cent (from volume) solids and

other components.

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Gas turbines

“Emission limit values of NOX expressed in mg/Nm3

(O2 is 15 per cent) that must be applied by a

single gas turbine according to article 21 (1), (limit values are applied only to a load over 70 per

cent).

Type of fuel > 50 MWth (thermal input under ISO

conditions)

Natural gas (1) 50 (

2)

Fluid fuel (3) 120

Gaseous fuels (different from natural gas) 120

Gas turbines for emergency use, which operate less than 500 hours/ a year, are excluded from

these limit values. The operator of these plants presents to the National Environment Agency a

yearly report on its time of use.

Notes:

1) Natural gas is a natural methane with no more than 20 per cent (from volume) solids and

other components.

2) 75/Nm3 in the cases below where gas turbine efficiency is defined by the basic ISO

conditions for bearings.

a) Gas turbines used in combined heating and energy systems have a general efficiency

more than 75 per cent;

b) Gas turbines used in combined cycles plants have a general average annual electrical

efficiency more than 55 per cent;

c) Gas turbines for mechanical drives.

For gas turbines with a single cycle that do not belong to any of the above categories, but have an

efficiency higher than 35 per cent – defined under the basic ISO conditions for bearing –

emission limit value will be 50* η/35 where η is gas turbine efficiency expressed in percentage (

and basic ISO conditions for bearing).

3) This emission limit value is applied only to gas turbines that produce light and average

distillates.

In Appendix 7, part B it is specified that:

“Emission limit values of dust, expressed in mg/Nm3

must be applied by Solid Fuels (O2 is 6 per

cent)

50 until 100 MWth >100 MWth

50 30

Liquid fuel (O2 is 3 per cent)

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50 until 100 MWth >100 MWth

50 30

Gaseous fuel (O2 is 3 per cent)

As a rule 5

For furnace gas 10

For gases produced by steel industry that

can be used somewhere else

30

9.5 ON WATERS

-Law No. 111/2012, date 15.11.2012 “For integrated management of water resources”

In paragraph 68 of definitions, it is foreseen that:

“Industrial discharges” are fluid wastes produced after various industrial processes which have

a contamination or environmental pollution risk for the place they are discharged.

In paragraph 81 of the law, it is foreseen that:

“Industrial water use” is water produced by various industrial processes which can have a

contamination or environmental pollution risk for the place in which it is discharged.

Article 67 of the aforementioned law foresees that:

“Along shores, beaches and flooding areas it is forbidden: discharge of urban and untreated

industrial wastewater.”

According to article 30 of the law “Industrial discharges and their treatment” it is foreseen that:

1. Water basin agencies, in cooperation with regional environmental agencies prepare

programmes on prevention and avoidance of water recipient water resources under their

jurisdiction from liquid discharge.

2. Environmental discharge of industrial wastewater must be implemented in full

compliance with the general and specific requirements for different types of activities

which cause liquid discharge in the environment, with the purpose of protecting surface

or underground water from contamination or pollution.

3. Industrial wastewater management must be conducted from the subjects who produce and

discharge them, according to the principle “Polluter pays”.

4. Industrial wastewater management includes their partial or full treatment, in the vicinity

of the area where the subject is located, where it produces them or in another specific

industrial area. Liquid discharge, after wastewater treatment in the plant are fee based and

in compliance with quality norms of these waters.

5. Fees for liquid discharge, produced from industrial wastewater treatment are specified

based on the quantity of discharged water and their chemical composition.

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6. Polluted water that does not comply with the characteristics defined under sublegal acts,

are not allowed to be directly discharged on the land, water and public sanitation systems.

7. Monitoring of quality and quantity of produced industrial wastewater and surface or

underground discharge after its treatment must be conducted from the bodies specified

under special laws.

According to article 79 of the law, it is foreseen:

“Refusal of permits and authorisations”

Water administration bodies have the right to refuse permits and authorisations for industrial

activity or processes, the discharge of which, regardless of their treatment, present a serious risk

for water resources, ecological system and environmental pollution.”

While according to article 97 of the aforementioned law, titled “Administrative sanctions” it is

foreseen that:

“Violation of the provisions of this law, do not constitute a criminal offense, rather an

administrative offense and are penalized as follows:

Environmental discharge of industrial wastewater, in contradiction to paragraph 7 of article 30 of

this law, constitutes an administrative offence and is punished by a fine starting from 1000000

lekë up to 5000000 lekë”.

-Law Nr.9115, dated 24.7.2003 ON ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT OF WASTE

WATER, as amended.

In Chapter III Wastewater treatment according to type, Article 8 foresees:

“Industrial waste water treatment”

1. Every subject, the activity of which generates industrial wastewater, treats them in compliance

with the specifics of the industry branches.

2. Industrial wastewater treatment is a process which includes:

a) Pre-treatment from the activity which generates them;

b) Treatment from physical or legal persons that take responsibility for their purification through

placement and operation of treatment plants.

c) Prohibition of reuse of industrial waters;

ç) Prohibition of use of remaining sludge’s after their purification;

d) Final disposal of solid waste in specific locations.

3. At the end of the treatment, according to industry branch, wastewater when within allowed

purification norms is discharged only in flowing surface waters.

4. Allowed discharges for every producing unit or industrial object (project), are foreseen since

the design phase and are reflected in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA),

presented by the proposer.

In Chapter VII titled “Sanctions”, in article 22 it is foreseen:

“Prohibited actions”

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In the Republic of Albania are prohibited:

a) Surface water or land discharges of water polluted beyond the limits that determine the rates

allowed for liquid discharges.

-Decision of the Council of Ministers No.177, dated 31.3.2003 “On allowed norms of liquid

releases and the zoning criteria of receiving water environments”

According to Chapter II of the DCM it is foreseen:

“Allowed norms of hazardous substances and parameters in wastewater discharged from

industrial activities.”

1. Allowed norms for allowed hazardous substances in wastewater from industrial activities are

according to Annex no.2 attached to this decision.

Hazardous substances that are not included in Annex no.2 are not allowed to be discharged in

wastewater produced from industrial activities.

2. Allowed norms for liquid discharges from industrial sectors are according to Annex nr.3

attached to this decision.

3. In existing industrial activities the allowed norms must be implemented, according to the

specifications of this chapter, within five years from the entry into force of this decision. During

the first year of this deadline, subjects who conduct their industrial activities must present in the

respective water basin council their action program regarding their implementation of the norms

specified in this decision. Their equipment with wastewater treatment plants is a mandatory

requirement of the program and is implemented with a 5-year period.

4. In new industrial activities and in reconstructions or expansions of existing activities the

allowed norms must be applied according to the specifications of this chapter, since the first day

of activity. These subjects, which conduct industrial activities, are not issued an environmental

permit, if they have not build the wastewater treatment plant.

5. When for technical reasons, it is impossible to implement the allowed norms according to

paragraph 1 of this chapter, the subjects which conducts the industrial activities, notifies through

a written letter the Ministry of Environment arguing that it is technically impossible to

implement these norms. In this case, the minister of Environment orders a monitoring of

recipient water premises and if they appear to be undamaged from wastewater discharges, he

specifies the temporary allowed norms, less strict than the ones defined in this decision.

Temporary norms, authorised by the Minister of Environment are implemented for a period up to

two years. During this period, the subject takes the necessary measures for the application of the

approved norms for allowed dangerous substances which are discharged along wastewater

created by its activity.

9.6 Legislation on procurement

-Law Nr.125, dated 25.4.2013 “On concession and the Public-Private Partnership”,

changed

In paragraph 15 of definitions, it is specified that:

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“Unsolicited proposal” is the proposal to undertake concession projects, which have not been

submitted as a result of a call made by the contracting authority, in the framework of a

competitive selection procedure.

Under article 25 of this law titled “Unsolicited proposals” it is foreseen that:

1. The contracting authority is authorised to review and accept unsolicited proposals, in

compliance with the procedures specified in this article, with the condition that this proposals

have no connection to a project for which the selection procedures have initiated or have been

announced.

2. If the unsolicited proposal is considered acceptable, after preliminary assessment, the

contracting authority may take actions to make the concession / public private partnership. There

will not be accepted unsolicited proposals associated with the study of a minimal form.

6. To the proposers shall be given a bonus for technical and / or financial result achieved during

competitive procedure to a maximum 10 per cent of the total points of the competition.

7. The Council of Ministers defines the rules for eligibility assessment, content and treatment of

the unsolicited proposals

-Decision of the Council of Ministers, Nr.575 dated 10.7.2013 “On approval of evaluation

rules for award of concession/public-private partnership”, as amended

Under article 6 of this Decision, titled “Environmental and social impacts” it is foreseen that:

Apart from the economic argument, the feasibility study assesses the environmental and social

impact of the project in compliance with the legislation in force.

The study identifies the possible negative or conflicting consequences on the environmental

components but is not only limited to: population, air, soil, landscape, fauna, flora, biodiversity

aspects, including endangered species, sensitive ecosystems and identification of those legally

protected. It must also show the preventive measures to be taken to ensure compliance with EU

environmental standards.

Furthermore, under Chapter III “ADMISSIBILITY EVALUATION, CONTENTS AND

HANDLING OF UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS” it is foreseen:

Article 10

General rules for submission of unsolicited proposals

1. Any economic operator or group of economic operators, hereinafter referred to as promoter,

may submit an unsolicited proposal for implementing a concession/PPP project and the

contracting authority shall be authorized to analyse such proposals, provided that:

a) The proposal relates to a project that is intended for one of the eligible sectors and purposes,

as provided for in Article 4 of the Law on Concession and PPPs;

b) The proposal does not relate to a project for which an awarding procedure has already been

initiated or announced

2. The unsolicited proposal shall be submitted only to the contracting authority to which the law

grants the authorities to undertake a procedure for awarding that concession/public private

partnership contract.

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3. The unsolicited proposal may be elaborated so as to address the project in any of the

following forms:

b) Developed form with technical, economic and financial analysis, under Article 11 of these

rules;

c) A fully developed feasibility study, including the substantiation of the concession/PPP

approach.

Article 11

Unsolicited proposal in developed form

The unsolicited proposal, presented in this form, contains

a) description of the current situation, evaluation of the fundamental defects, development

context and, if appropriate, a market overview

b) medium-term and long-term forecasts of needs;

c) general description of the project;

ç) strategic and operational benefits expected from the project;

d) coordination with the overall investment policy, sectoral or regional;

dh) technical tests, according to Article 5 of these rules;

e) environmental and social impacts, according to Article 6 of these rules;

ë) economic and financial analysis, under Article 7 of these regulations.

Article 12

Synthesis Report of the unsolicited proposal

1. The Commission of the concession / PPP designs summary report in which verifies the

fulfilment of the conditions stipulated in Article 10 and that the documents submitted are

complete and in accordance with article 11 of these rules. In the report is defined if:

a) the objectives of the project are clearly defined and achievable;

b) the objectives of the project serve the public interest and fit within the strategic priorities of

the contracting authority;

c) there are no legal obstacles or restrictions to the implementation of the project and / or to enter

into a contract concession / PPP;

ç) the project can be implemented as planned, using the proposed technologies and without

technical unreasonable risks;

d) the project seems to have economic sustainability;

dh) project seems to be able to attract guarantor / financial supporters, providing a reasonable

financial return;

e) The proposed level of risk allocation by public and private sector entities is rational and

reasonable;

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ë) Adequate financial support can be adjusted inside the limited budget and other fiscal

obligations.

2. During the preparation of the summary report, the contracting authority may request additional

information from the proposer.

3. Based on the summary report, the contracting authority may decide:

a) To return to the unsolicited proposal supplement, because it is not presented according to the

required forms on article 10 of these rules. In this case, the proposer has 30 days left from the

date of return of the proposal, to supplement it.

b) Accept the proposal and to continue the drafting of the feasibility study;

c) reject the proposal and give up the project implementation. Basis for termination may consist

on substantial evidence of possible absences of the feasibility of the project / alternatives that

were analyzed. Such evidence is established on the basis of preliminary comparison of benefits

and costs to users, of information about the lack of feasibility / financial eligibility or the

conclusion that the object is generally not necessary.

In all the above cases the contracting authority shall communicate in written form the decision to

the proposer.

- DCM. No. 1189, dated 18.11.2009 "On the rules and procedures for the design and

implementation of the national program of environmental monitoring"

The objective of the DCM is to establish the procedures and criteria for the evaluation and

approval of projects of concession / public-private partnership, which have the need for financial

support according to the concessions and public-private partnership laws

9.7 Additional information about landfills

-Law No.10 463, dated 22.09.2011 “On integrated waste management”, as amended

According to the law definitions, under article 16 it is foreseen that:

Landfill is the area of over or underground solid waste disposal, including:

a) a site where wastes are disposed within the plant territory, as in the case of a landfill where the

waste generator disposes of his waste in the production site;

b) a permanent site which is used for temporary waste storage, usually for more than a year, with

the exception of

i) plants where wastes are disposed in order to be prepared and later transported for recuperation,

treatment or disposal elsewhere;

ii) sites where wastes are stored for a period not longer than three years before they are

recuperated and treated;

iii) sites where wastes are stored for a period not longer than one years before they are

exterminated.

Under Annex 1 “Disposal operations” of the aforementioned law, it is foreseen that:

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“Use principally as a fuel or other energy production methods. This includes incineration

facilities dedicated to the processing of municipal solid waste only when energy efficiency is

equal to or above than:

- 0,60 for installations in operation and have received an environmental permit, in

compliance to the relevant legislation after this law was entered into force;

- 0,65 for installations that have received an environmental permit, in compliance to the

relevant legislation after this law was entered into force.

Using the formula below: Energy efficiency = (Ep -( Ef + Ei)) / (0,97 x (Ew + Ef))

Where:

Ep - is the annual energy produced as heat or electricity. It is calculated with energy in the form

of electricity multiplied by 2,6 and heat produced for commercial purposes multiplied by 1,1

(GJ/year)

Ef -is defined as annual energy input to the system from fuels contributing to the production of

steam (GJ/year)

Ew - annual energy contained in the treated waste calculated using the net calorific value of the

waste (GJ/year)

Ei - means annual energy imported excluding Ew and Ef (GJ/year).

0.97- is a factor accounting for energy losses due to bottom ash and radiation

-Decision of the Council of Ministers, No. 452 dated 11.7.2013 “On the landfills of waste”

According to this Decision of the CM, the sites of all new landfills comply with general

requirements of annex I.

Under Annex 1 it is foreseen that:

1.1 “In selecting the landfill location are taken into consideration requirements related to:

a) distance from the border site of the landfill until the resident areas and relaxing/recreation

areas, water flow, water bodies and other agricultural or urban areas;

b) existence of underground waters, sea waters or protected areas;

c) geological and hydrological conditions in the area;

d) risk of flooding, sinking, landslip, or avalanches in the area;

e) protection of natural or cultural inheritance in the area.

f) provisions of the law nr.8752, dated 23.3.2001 “On the establishment and operation of

administrative structures and land protection” as amended.

1.2 The location of the landfill is selected only if the characteristics of the site are in

compliance to the requirements above specified, or the appropriate measures taken show

that the landfill does not pose a serious risk to the environment.

2. Landfill water control and discharge liquid management

2.1 In compliance with the landfill requirements and meteorological conditions of the area, the

necessary measures are taken in order to:

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a) control waters entering the landfill body from rainfalls;

b) prevent entrance of surface and/or underground waters inside the wastes disposed into the

landfill;

c) collect contaminated waters and fluids that leak from the landfill; the competent authority may

decide to not implement this disposition if the preliminary assessment considers that the landfill

location and wastes accepted there do not pose a potential threat to the environment.

d) collected contaminated and leakage waters from the landfill to be treated at standard required

for their discharge.

2.2 The above provisions may not be implemented on solid waste landfills not contaminated

from other wastes.

3. Land and water protection

3.1 The selection of the landfill site and its design are conducted so that it fulfils the

necessary conditions for the prevention of land, surface and underground water pollution by ensuring efficient collection of the liquids leaked from the landfill, as required by section 2.

Land, underground and surface water protection is reached by combining geologic barrier

with:

a) a bottom line laid down the landfill in the operational (active) phase; and

b) an isolating upper layer after the final phase (passive).

3.2 Geological barriers are defined based on the geological and hydro geological conditions near

the landfill site, as below, and ensure enough softening capacity to prevent a potential risk to the

land and ground waters.

The base and sides of the landfill are composed of a mineral layer which fulfils the permeability

and combined thickness conditions, in order to ensure lands, surface and underground water

protection, at least equivalent to those which result from:

a) For hazardous waste landfill. Permeability coefficient is 1.0×10-9 m/second or lower;

thickness is 5 m or thicker.

b) For non-hazardous waste landfill. Permeability coefficient is 1.0×10-9 m/second or lower;

thickness is 1 m or thicker.

c) For solid waste landfill. Permeability coefficient is 1.0×10-7 m/second or lower; thickness

is 1 m or thicker.

Geological barriers do not naturally fulfil the above conditions; they are artificially fulfilled and

reinforced with other means that ensure similar protection. Artificial geological barriers must

have a thickness of 0.5 meters or more than 0.5 meters….”

-INSTRUCTION No. 1738 dated 12.03.2015 "On the criteria of design-study for the

rehabilitation of landfills of municipal solid waste and construction of landfills or

treatment plants of urban solid waste

As for the location of the landfill and its industrial activity, it is worth mentioning the obligations

deriving from the law “On integrated water resource management”, as well as the law “On

agricultural land protection”.

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9.8 Legislation on expropriation

Regarding the status of the property where the project will take place, there should be taken into

account, that part of the proposed terrain, there is land owned by private entities, against whom

shall apply legal procedures in accordance with the applicable legislation on expropriation.

-Law No. 7850 Date/Act: 29.07.1994, "On the Civil Code of the Republic of Albania",

amended.

Article 153 predicts:

“No one may be expropriated or get limited of the right to exercise the property ownership

rights, equal to expropriation, unless this is required in the public interest and always against fair

compensation”.

- The Law No.8561 dated 22.12.1999 "On expropriation and temporary use of private

property for public interest", as amended.

Article 2

"1. Individuals and private entities have the right of respect for the property in their possession.

The expropriation of private properties is done only in the public interest when the public interest

prevails over the private interests of their owners, in accordance with the conditions provided for

by the laws and general principles of international laws.

2. The right of expropriation and taking for temporary use of private property is exercised in the

public interest that cannot be realized or protected in some other way, except for reasons and in

respect to the procedures specified in this law, to the extent that it is necessary to accomplish the

purpose of the expropriation and in any case against fair compensation”.

In Article 8, are mentioned as causes of expropriation:

c) To implement projects and investments that represent interest or national or local territorial

extension in transport of any kind, energy, telecommunication, water works of any kind, the

service and the public interest.

ç) For the realization of the projects and the national or local investment, in order to preserve the

environment, health, culture and public education, and the infrastructure, in service and interests

of the public.

While Article 11, paragraph 1 and 2 state that:

“1. Applications for expropriation are presented at the Ministry covering the relevant activity,

while the proposal in the Council of Ministers for approval of the application for expropriation is

made by the relevant minister.

2. By the submission of the application for expropriation for the public interest, the competent

minister orders the establishment of a special commission for monitoring and implementation of

expropriation procedures ".

-DCM No. 127, dated 23.03.2000, "On the content and procedures of application and the

Notice of expropriation and taking for temporary use of private property for public

interest"

In paragraph 1 and 2 is provided that:

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"1. Subject, in whose favour the expropriation is done, must submit to the relevant ministry an

application for expropriation, which must be accompanied by documentation provided in the

form no.1 and documents, standards, which are attached to this decision.

2. Notice of expropriation and taking for temporary use of private property for public interest, is

made under Form No. 2, which is attached to this decision. "

-DCM, No.627, Dt. 12.24.1997 "On establishment of the Council of Territorial Regulation"

9.9 Additional legislation related to the project

-Law no. 139/2015 "On local self-government"

This law regulates the organization and functioning of local self-government units in the

Republic of Albania, and defines the functions, powers, rights and duties of their respective

bodies.

Municipality function: gathering, removal and treatment of solid and household waste.

Law No. 8672 dated 26.10.2000 for the ratification of "the AARHUS Convention on Access

to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in

Environmental Matters”

Adequate protection of the environment is essential for the welfare of people and the exercise of

basic human rights, including the right to live.

Every person has the right to live in an appropriate environment for health and well-being and

the tasks as an individual and in society, to protect and improve the environment for the benefit

of present and future generations.

1. The right for environmental information.

Each Party shall ensure that, in response to the request for environmental information, to make it

available, within the framework of national law, including copies of the actual documentation

containing this information (not later than one month from the application).

This information is not given in the cases:

• When public authority does not have the environmental information requested.

• If the application is filed so unreasonable or is formulated in a very general way.

• If the application relates to a material that is being finished

• When giving it can affect negatively in :

a. International relations, national defence or public security.

b. The trial mode, the ability of a person to receive a fair trial or the ability of a public authority

to conduct an inquiry of a criminal or disciplinary nature.

c. Confidentiality of the commercial and industrial information, when it is protected by law in

order to protect a legitimate economic interest.

The information is given with payment, which should not exceed a reasonable amount.

2. Public participation in decisions about specific activities.

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The public will be informed, by public notification or individually, as appropriate, early in the

procedure of obtaining a decision for the environment, and in an appropriate manner, effectively

and in time, inter alia, for:

• The activity proposed and the application on which will be taken a decision.

• The nature of possible decisions or the draft decision.

• The public authority responsible for making the decision.

• The forecasted procedure, mode and when this information can be provided, including:

- Initiation of proceedings

- Possibilities for the public to participate.

- Time and place of each public meeting, predicted.

- Addressing to the public authority from which relevant information can be obtained.

- Informing about available environmental information, in relation to the proposed activity.

The public has the right to participate in plans, programs and policies concerning the

environment, in a transparent and fair framework, by providing him with necessary information.

The public has the right to participate during the preparation of executive regulations and / or

general instruments of the legal normative.

The right to address the court.

Each Party shall, within the framework of national legislation, ensure that any person, who

thinks that his request for information has been significantly underestimated, wrongfully refused,

partially or completely, has been responded insufficiently or not been treated in accordance with

the provisions of this law (the Convention), has the right to have a court or any other independent

and impartial review procedure established by law.

Final decisions will be binding on the public authority in possession of the information.

-Law No. 8503, dated 30.6.1999, "On the right of Information on Official Documents", as

amended.