Cambi enters New Zealand with a big contract in Wellington

Cambi has been awarded a contract for two Thermal Hydrolysis (THP) processes to be integrated into the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wellington, New Zealand as part of the new Sludge Minimization Facility (SMF). The project will revolutionize the way the city manages its wastewater solids. THP will more than halve the required volume of the anaerobic digester, increase green electricity generation from biogas, and improve dewatering enough to reduce the size and energy requirements of the thermal drying plant by more than 40%.

Wellington City Council is committed to investing in innovative and sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions. Besides significantly improving the energy balance, thermal hydrolysis will open up safe avenues for reuse to improve soil health or generate energy, reducing the volume sent to landfill by 80%. The new facility will reduce carbon emissions from solids handling and processing by more than 60%.

The Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant serves Wellington’s population of over 200,000 before discharging wastewater into Cook Strait. The sludge reduction project is an essential step in improving the local environment and reducing carbon emissions. The project is Cambi’s southernmost and easternmost to date.

HEB Construction and McConnell Dowell is the contractor that won the contract and will deliver the SMF project, with thermal hydrolysis to be operational by 2026.