Unlocking Energy from Waste: A Comprehensive Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Recovery Potential in Ghana

Abdul-Wahab Tahiru (), Samuel Jerry Cobbina, Wilhemina Asare and Silas Uwumborge Takal
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Abdul-Wahab Tahiru: Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1350, Ghana
Samuel Jerry Cobbina: Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1350, Ghana
Wilhemina Asare: Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1350, Ghana
Silas Uwumborge Takal: Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1350, Ghana

World, 2024, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-27

Abstract: Ghana is currently facing a waste crisis that presents considerable risks to its environment, economy, and public health. This investigation evaluates four prospective waste-to-energy options—namely, incineration, anaerobic digestion, gasification, and landfill gas—with the objective of mapping out a sustainable strategy for efficient waste management. Among these solutions, anaerobic digestion stands out as a superior option, offering renewable energy production, valuable bio-product creation, and a comparatively lower greenhouse gas emission effect. A cost analysis further reveals that utilizing biogas from anaerobic digestion is not only environmentally friendly but also economically more viable than relying on light crude oil. Producing 200 MW of energy using biogas costs 36% less, potentially resulting in monthly savings of USD 5.46 million for Ghana. However, several obstacles impede the development of WtE. Inaccurate waste data and a lack of clear policies on waste-to-energy hinder the harnessing of Ghana’s WtE potential. To address this, the study recommends (1) implementing a well-defined national strategy complete with regulations and incentives to attract investments and (2) conducting specialized research to optimize WtE technologies for Ghana’s unique waste composition and context. By surmounting these challenges, Ghana stands poised to secure a sustainable future, simultaneously meeting the targets of Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 11. This entails ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG 7) and fostering inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements (SDG 11).

Keywords: waste-to-energy; incineration; gasification; biomass; landfill; technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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