Assessment of Waste-to-Energy Feasibility for Municipal Solid Waste in Abuja FCT

Waste-to-energy technologies offer a potential pathway to simultaneously address urban solid waste management challenges and expand electricity supply, yet feasibility assessments for Nigerian urban contexts remain rare and are not systematically incorporated into municipal planning. This study assesses the technical and economic feasibility of waste-to-energy conversion for municipal solid waste in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory, focusing on incineration with energy recovery and anaerobic digestion as candidate technologies. Waste characterisation surveys were conducted at six collection points and two disposal sites to determine waste quantities, composition, moisture content, and calorific values. Energy content calculations were performed for the total estimated municipal solid waste arisings of 2,100 tonnes per day in the FCT. Technology performance benchmarks were sourced from documented operating facilities in comparable African urban contexts. Capital and operating cost estimates were developed and compared against electricity tariff projections and tipping fee scenarios to assess economic viability. Findings indicate that the organic fraction of Abuja's municipal waste, comprising 54 percent of total arisings, presents a technically viable feedstock for anaerobic digestion, with estimated annual biogas production potential equivalent to 18 megawatts of installed generating capacity. Incineration with energy recovery is technically feasible but requires significant pre-processing to reduce moisture content, increasing capital costs. The study recommends a phased approach beginning with a pilot anaerobic digestion facility processing separately collected market waste organics, with a financial model incorporating carbon credit revenues under clean development mechanism frameworks. Keywords: waste-to-energy, municipal solid waste, feasibility assessment, Abuja, anaerobic digestion.