By Ayodele Edward-Cole
Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, is set to show the way in sustainable waste management in Nigeria. And, this is certainly a welcome initiative that deserves commendation.
In recent years, several regions worldwide have recognized the importance of sustainable waste management as a pathway toward creating renewable energy sources. The Lagos State Government’s collaboration with the Dutch firm, Harvest Waste, to convert waste into electricity is a groundbreaking initiative that promotes environmental sustainability, economic development, and social benefits. This initiative provides several advantages that could potentially tackle the issue of poor power supply and serve as a model for other states in Nigeria.
The state announced on Wednesday that it had received a €120m support fund from the Dutch government to prosecute its waste-to-energy project in partnership with a Dutch firm, Harvest Waste Consortium. This is a clear demonstration of the preparedness by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to explore alternative sources of energy that is both cheap and environmentally friendly.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed this in a post on X.com, explained that the project would convert part of Lagos’ waste into electricity at the decommissioned Epe landfill, processing 2,500 to 3,000 tons of waste out of the 13,000 to 14,000 tons generated daily in the state.
“The waste-to-energy project with the Dutch company, Harvest Waste, is backed by the Dutch government to the tune of about €120m and we have designated the decommissioned Epe landfill for this purpose.
“The Lagos State Government is actively decommissioning several landfills to make space for new waste management projects with foreign private companies, including the Jospong Group and Closing the Loop,” he wrote.
He stated that major dumpsites, such as Olusosun and Solous 1, 2, and 3, are in the advanced stages of decommissioning, with new landfills being provided to support these projects.
“Once these partnerships are fully operational, the government expects only 3% to 4% of the waste generated in Lagos to end up in the landfills, in line with the state’s goal of turning waste into valuable resources and promoting sustainability,” the commissioner added.
Last year, the Lagos Waste Management Authority revealed that it was partnering with the C40 and G-ORBIT Enterprise in efforts to convert organic waste into biogas which is used for electricity generation.
“LAWMA has partnered C40 and G-ORBIT Enterprise on a waste-to-energy feasibility study involving the conversion of organic waste, generated from markets, into biogas used for electricity,” the agency wrote on X in October 2023.
This commendable initiative by the Lagos State Government has both economic, environmental and social advantages.
Economically, the project will generate substantial employment opportunities. From the construction and operational phases to maintenance and administration, a waste-to-electricity facility will employ a diverse workforce. These jobs can range from technical positions requiring specialized skills to unskilled labour.
By harnessing waste as a resource, Lagos State can produce a renewable source of energy that can power homes, businesses, and industries. This energy production can contribute to a more stable and consistent electricity supply, fostering economic growth and attracting investors disenchanted by unreliable energy sources.
Also, the initiative is sure to reduce the cost of waste management. The traditional waste disposal methods, such as landfilling, incur high costs. The waste-to-energy initiative can reduce these charges by transforming waste into a resource, minimizing landfill usage, and maximizing the economic value of waste management.
The project will most very likely spur the growth of ancillary local industries related to renewable energy, such as technology providers, maintenance services, and even education and training institutions focusing on energy and environmental sciences.
By incorporating waste-to-energy technology, Lagos State can diversify its energy portfolio, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This diversification can help stabilize electricity prices in the long term.
In terms of environmental advantages, the waste-to-energy process can significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills. As landfills reach capacity, new sites can be costly and environmentally harmful to develop. This initiative can prolong the life of existing landfills and reduce the demand for new ones.
Additionally, properly managing waste through waste-to-energy conversion can help decrease methane emissions generated in landfills. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. By capturing and utilizing waste, the initiative helps mitigate these environmental impacts.
And, beyond energy generation, waste-to-energy processes can enable the recovery of valuable materials from waste, such as metals and plastics, which can be recycled further. This contributes to a circular economy where resources are reused, reducing the demand for raw materials.
What is more, waste-to-energy facilities can be designed with advanced technologies to minimize emissions and pollutants, contributing to improved air quality. Furthermore, by providing a better waste management solution, the initiative can reduce the potential for environmental contamination related to unsightly open dumps or poorly managed landfills.
On the social advantages, effective waste management and sustainable energy generation can lead to cleaner neighborhoods and healthier living conditions. This contributes to an overall improvement in the quality of life for residents.
The project can serve as a platform for educating local communities about waste management and the importance of recycling, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Workshops and educational programs can be developed to engage the populace actively.
By creating a more sustainable energy supply from waste, energy costs for residents and businesses can decrease, contributing to greater economic stability for families and promoting the welfare of the community.
Importantly, the initiative has the potential to provide electricity to underserved areas, addressing the energy divide and promoting social equity. It can help ensure that all citizens, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, have access to reliable electricity. In this regard, the Lagos State’s waste-to-energy initiative would directly tackle poor power supply by augmenting power generation. As the capacity to generate electricity from waste increases, this could lead to a reduction in the frequency and severity of power outages common in Nigeria. With increased energy production, the electricity supply can meet the rising demand of a rapidly growing population and economy.
Waste-to-energy plants can be distributed across various locations, alleviating the pressure on the central grid. This decentralized approach could also enhance resilience against grid failures.
Other states can learn from Lagos State’s energy initiative by developing similar partnerships. This they can do by seeking partnerships with international firms specializing in renewable energy, leveraging knowledge, technology, and funding to implement waste-to-energy projects.
The collaboration between Lagos State Government and Harvest Waste to convert waste into electricity presents significant advantages that encompass economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social upliftment. It offers a viable solution to tackling poor power supply while also serving as a potential model for other states in Nigeria seeking to improve their energy futures and adopt sustainable practices. Through collaborative efforts, Nigeria can pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable, and energy-secure future.
• Edward-Cole, an environmental and energy security expert, writes from Lagos.