The Government of the province of San Juan presented the investment project to complete and put into operation the Urban Solid Waste Energy Recovery Plant (VERSU) in the department of Sarmiento, executed by the state company EPSE.
The first stage includes the drilling to ensure industrial water, an essential input for the operation, along with the recovery of key equipment, such as the steam boiler. It also plans to modernize technological and security systems, as well as the construction of an environmental measurement laboratory to monitor the processes.
Administrative and technical progress
During 2025, work was done on the documentary regularization of the site and on the general planning of the work. The Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development transferred a portion of land to EPSE, a procedure ratified by a governor’s decree, which formally enabled the start of the work.
The next key stage will be the acquisition of the turbo generator, essential to start technical tests and move towards the definitive start-up.
How the VERSU plant works
The demonstration plant converts urban solid waste into electrical energy through an energy recovery process:
- The waste must be separated at source by citizens and organizations, differentiating the organic fraction from the recyclable material.
- The organic waste is loaded into a furnace where combustion begins.
- The heat drives a gas turbine that operates an electric generator.
- The hot gases heat water, producing steam that activates a second turbine connected to a transformer, generating more electricity.
- The combustion gases are reused in a waste pre-drying system, recovering thermal energy.
- Finally, the emissions pass through a purifier that ensures compliance with current environmental regulations.
The plant supplies its own consumption and delivers the surplus to the provincial Interconnected Network.
Technological and environmental innovation
VERSU will feature two pioneering laboratories in San Juan:
- Urban Solid Waste Characterization Laboratory.
- Gaseous Emissions Monitoring Laboratory.
These spaces will allow evaluating the quality of the waste and ensuring that emissions comply with environmental standards.
Expected impact
Municipalities adopting the Urban Solid Waste Management System (GIRSU) will be able to:
- Reduce up to 95% of garbage volume.
- Generate renewable energy.
- Decrease the environmental impact of waste management.
- Create local employment and promote national technology.
VERSU is presented as a comprehensive solution to the environmental and energy challenges of the province, combining technological innovation with social commitment.
The VERSU project in Sarmiento marks a decisive step towards a more sustainable waste management model. By transforming waste into clean energy, the plant not only reduces environmental impact but also contributes to the economic and technological development of San Juan, positioning the province as a leader in renewable energy and circular economy.
