The inauguration of the large waste recovery facility by Paprec Energies in La Réunion

 

Today saw the inauguration of the largest waste recovery hub in the Overseas Territories, an ambitious project led by Paprec Energies. Located in Pierrefonds, near Saint-Pierre, this facility is the result of a collaboration between Paprec Energies and ILEVA, the major public local cooperation institution in the south of the island, with the aim of addressing the region’s environmental and energy challenges.

This recovery center, one of the largest in France, will manage 60% of the waste from the residents of the southern part of the island. The multi-stream project will turn household waste into valuable resources. Among the installations, a methanization unit will process organic waste to produce green gas and fertilizer, while another will focus on preparing refuse-derived fuels (RDF), which were previously buried. These RDFs will replace fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, to produce electricity.

Paprec Energies, leveraging its expertise for this large-scale project, will help reduce the island’s dependence on fossil fuels while preventing waste from being buried. This project represents a €200 million investment for the community and a ten-year commitment for the management and operation of the site. With a treatment capacity of 148,000 tons annually, the plant will not only generate the electricity needed for its own operation, but also produce 121,000 MWh per year, equivalent to the consumption of 83,000 people, or 10% of the local population.

More than just an industrial site

RUN'EVA will also serve as a new space for raising awareness and educating the public on waste reduction, with an educational area dedicated to welcoming visitors.

Three themes will offer an immersive experience into the life of a waste item:

• Waste Management: How does the waste collection and treatment system work in Réunion? What are the best practices for reducing, sorting, and recovering our waste?
• Resources: How can waste be transformed into resources? The RUN'EVA project illustrates how non-buried waste is recovered to produce energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Energy Recovery: Through animations and explanations, visitors will learn about the role of RUN'EVA in turning waste into energy.

This inauguration marks a significant step in the energy transition and sustainable waste management in Réunion, with a positive impact on the environment and the island’s energy independence.