The Nigerian Federal Government has been urged to incorporate energy from waste, biomass, and biogas, as a key component of its energy production strategy, said Achenyao Idachaba, founder of consulting firm Greennovative Chain.
"The focus has been more geared to conventional energy sources i.e. Fossil fuels, Hydro, Coal etc as evidenced in the 2006 Renewable Energy Action Program (REAP) document,” she said.
Idachaba outlined steps to developing waste to energy solutions in Nigeria that include recognizing generated waste as a reusable resource for generating electricity supply and identifying sustainable energy solutions using Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGE)/ Municipal Solid Waste to Energy (MSWE) technologies to address the endemic power supply shortage in Nigeria while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Alternative Energy Africa asked Jacob Klimstra, senior energy and engine specialist for Wärtsilä Power Plants at the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi in January how waste-to-energy could be implemented to help African nations, particularly areas already hit hard with power outages like Lagos. Klimstra said that the world wants to make a quick solution, and there were many opportunities to convert the gas. “The solution is easy. The legislation needs to be in place,” he said.
While it is no secret that the Nigerian government needs regulation set in place in order to progress its Master Plan goals of incorporating 20% of its electricity demands with that of renewable energy, regulation is still far behind.
A waste to wealth management presentation seemed to spark the interest of many that attended the International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) held last October. Pictures provided by Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) showed the incredible amount of waste in Lagos, and what the organization is doing to tackle the problem. LAWMA Managing Director Ola Oresanya said by 2011, 50% of waste would be turned into compost via the Jebba Paper Mill and Ojo Plastic Recycling plant.