The Governor of Lagos State in Southern Nigeria, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the partnership of the industrious state with Harvest Waste Consortium, a Dutch firm, to construct a high-efficiency Waste-to-Energy plant at the Epe landfill. This state-of-the-art facility will use advanced technology to generate clean energy from municipal, commercial, and industrial waste.
The deal is expected to remove approximately 40,000 homes from the national electricity grid by generating between 60 and 75 megawatts of baseload electricity annually and enhance energy security and diversification in the state.
The partnership, initiated by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and supervised by the Lagos State Office of the Public Private Partnership (PPP), aims to address the inadequacies of current waste disposal practices. Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for innovative alternatives to reduce environmental pollution, improve air quality, and prevent the degradation and contamination of water resources.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the partnership as a “monumental step” in Lagos’s waste management strategy. “Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos,” he said. The plant will process 2,250 tonnes of waste daily, diverting over 95% of waste from landfill sites.
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The waste-to-energy plant is expected to trap approximately 550,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted daily from dumpsites. The project, with an operational lifespan of over 25 years, is anticipated to stimulate economic activities, attract major investments, and create jobs in Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded, “The facility will ensure that the potentially harmful effects of municipal solid waste are minimized, protecting public health and the environment. This project will enhance public health and well-being, contribute to the circular economy by reducing landfill dependency, and promote recycling.”
Supported by the Dutch government, this partnership suggests the potential for international collaboration to address local challenges. Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands Consulate, Ms. Leonie Van der Stijl, highlighted the commitment of the Dutch government to the success of this agreement, noting that Lagos is the first partner of Dutch waste management solutions.
Managing Director of Harvest Waste Consortium, Mr. Evert Lichtenbelt, emphasized the firm’s expertise in managing solid waste and noted the similarities between Amsterdam and Lagos in waste management challenges. “This MoU sets a good pace for both partners. We proposed to manage part of Lagos’s solid waste, and in the future, we can expand,” Lichtenbelt said.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the partnership mandates Lagos to seek solid waste management solutions, turning waste into wealth and creating new value through waste conversion.
