The Kwinana Waste to Energy Plant is the first of its kind in Australia. The $700 million project will process up to 400,000 tonnes of household, commercial and industrial waste. Diverted from landfill, this waste will be thermally treated and converted into steam to produce electricity, providing enough energy to power up to 50,000 homes.

Melchor was awarded the Civil Package 02, which comprised detailed earthworks, the construction of major concrete structures (including formwork, reinforcement and concrete pours), as well as the installation of underground services (including process water, storm water, sewage, chemical, firefighting network, electrical and earthing).

Melchor poured approximately 9,300 cubic metres of concrete, including 25-metre-high walls within the Refuse Bunker Building. Approximately 1,800 tonnes of reinforcement was installed.

A major milestone of the project was the completion of the boiler house foundation. Melchor completed this in one continuous pour with a total of 2,107 cubic meters over a 16-hour shift.

Upon completion of the contracted package (December 2020), Melchor was requested to remain on site in a minor works and maintenance capacity.