……Investor To Build High Efficiency Waste-To- Energy Plant
From Lateef Taiwo

There is a major boost towards generating more electricity power as, Lagos Government has taken a giant step towards turning tonnes of solid waste in the metropolis to usable energy.

A partnership with a Dutch firm, Harvest Waste Consortium, for the construction of a high efficiency Waste-to-Energy plant on Epe landfill was formalized by the government on Monday

The energy plant will utilise advanced technology to generate clean energy from municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste.

The innovative waste management solution is expected to take some 40,000 homes off the national electricity grid, as the technology would enhance energy security and diversification, generating between 60 and 75 megawatts of baseload electricity annually.

The partnership with the Amsterdam, Netherlands-based firm was at the instance of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, while the agreement was signed under the supervision of the Lagos State Office of the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking during the Signing of Agreement, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu said, ‘’the inadequacies of the current waste disposal practices in the State led to the sealing of the partnership to bring about innovative alternatives towards reducing environmental pollution, improving air quality, and stemming degradation and contamination of water resources that posed threats to the life quality in the State.

According to him, ‘’the partnership represented a “monumental step” forward of his administration’s waste management strategy, stressing that the move marked another milestone in the journey to build a clean, healthy, and more sustainable city.

He said, “today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos, as we formalise a partnership with Harvest Waste Consortium. This is a collaboration that promises to transform waste management and energy production in our State.

“The growth of our population signifies progress and opportunity, just as it presents challenges, particularly in managing the increasing volumes of municipal solid waste. We sought innovative and sustainable solutions through extensive consultations, visits, and a thorough exchange of information with our partners from the Netherlands.

“This state-of-the-art facility will be built with the capacity to process 2,250 tonnes of waste daily, representing a monumental step forward in our waste management strategy. The plant will not only provide a sustainable alternative to the current practice of waste dumping, it will also divert more than 95 per cent of our waste from landfill sites.”

The Governor said, ‘’the initiative would significantly reduce environmental footprint of Lagos waste disposal methods, with the plant expected to trap about 550,000 metric tons of Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted daily from dumpsite.

‘’Beyond the environmental benefits, the Governor said the project, which has over 25 years operational lifespan, would stimulate economic activities around the initiative, while attracting major investments to the State and creating jobs,’’ he added

Speaking on the partnership, Deputy Consul General, the Netherlands Consulate, Ms. Leonie Van der Stijl said, ‘’the partnership presented the possibility of international collaboration to solve local challenges, noting that Lagos, through the pact, became the first partner of the Dutch waste management.

The envoy gave assurance of the Dutch government’s commitment to the success of the agreement.

On his part, the Managing Director, Harvest Waste Consortium, Mr. Evert Lichtenbelt said, ‘’the firm had built international reputation in managing solid waste in a proper way.

“Amsterdam and Lagos share similar challenges in managing population and waste. What we do is exporting knowledge on managing waste properly. This MoU has set a good pace for both partner. We made a proposal to manage part of the solid waste of Lagos and in future, we can expand,” Lichtenbelt said.