Lagos — The Federal Government has been called on to incorporate energy from waste (efW), biomass and biogas, as a key component of its energy production strategy.

The call was made by the founder of Greennovative Chain, a consulting services firm providing clean energy value chain solutions, Mrs. Achenyo Idachaba.

The environmental expert, who proffered other solutions to Nigeria's energy problems, said currently, efW is not one of the key components of energy production.

"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.

In a presentation titled, 'Climate Change and Power Supply Solutions: LFGE / MSWE Project development in Nigeria', Idachaba said endemic power shortage and open waste disposal sites are major drivers of environmental pollution in Nigeria.

"Waste everywhere and electricity barely here! This summarises to a large extent the situation in several urban cities in Nigeria, the most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa. These are just a few of the problems driven by rapid urbanisation and the inability of the existing infrastructure to support this growth;

"With fragile enforcement governing the disposal of waste and the placement of private electricity generating sets, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are constantly being released into densely populated residential and commercial areas thereby leading to adverse environmental and health impacts", she said.

Idachaba outlined steps to developing waste to energy solutions in Nigeria.

These include recognising generated waste as a reusable resource for generating electricity supply rather than an unfortunate urban and rural menace; 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.

She also called for utilising of the Clean Development Mechanism to finance LFGE / MSWE projects, while listing various benefits of LFGE / MSWE.

In order to ensure success of LFGE/MSWE projects in Nigeria, Greennovative Chain recommended eliminating regulatory barriers that could be key obstacles to potential LFG recovery projects.

"Fossil fuel generating sets and the cost of maintenance are relatively high thus the LFG cost could be an attractive alternative. The 'real' electricity tariff is at least $0.10/Kwh", Idachaba said.

"Laws must be enforced to ensure that waste is collected and transported to regulated waste disposal areas. Policies, regulations and incentives should be put in place to support energy production and sales from renewable energy sources", she added.

The expert called on stakeholders to conduct robust LFGE project feasibility studies, while waste generation rates and LFG recovery rates should be realistic and not overly optimistic.

"If the actual LFG generation rates are lower than forecasts, this could lead to a shortfall in financing. Technology adaption to the local operating environment is imperative for successful implementation. Technology deployment and infrastructure construction is not a one-size fits all approach" she said.

Idachaba also called for early initiation of the CDM process. "The CDM project cycle is between 18 - 24 months which is the approximate time it takes to implement an LFGE project. Both processes should be worked simultaneously."

Idachaba, founder of Greennovative Chain, is an AEE Certified Carbon Reduction Manager (CRMÆ) and an APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCPÆ).