Mr Paul O’Callaghan is the CEO, WestAfricaENRG Limited, a company that
promotes and enables the growth of West African economies through
renewable energy projects. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on the company’s
project in Nigeria, as well as other waste to wealth initiatives.
As
part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), a
Material Recovery Facility (MRF) was commissioned earlier in the year at
Alimosho. What influenced this initiative?
The Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is just the first stage in a three-phase project. The MRF sorts the valuable fraction from the solid waste and we sell that into the Nigerian economy. It is important to us that as long as we have demand in Nigeria for our products, then we supply local, because the Nigerian economy will only grow by adding value in Nigeria and exporting the value added products.
Also, Alimosho is the largest and most populated local government in Nigeria. It is a location of four dumpsites, all really an eyesore, causing environmental harm to the local communities. The extent of that damage is much debated and I believe that there are better ways to manage that waste. So we chose Alimosho as it had the correct feedstock and would have a significant positive impact on the local community. It was an agreed location between the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and us.
WestAfricaENRG also adopted the Compassionate Orphanage in that area…
Yes, as a company and for any business, it is important to be a part of the community in which you work. The support of the Compassionate Orphanage is our way of giving back to the less fortunate members of the community. Although our business has to be commercially sustainable, we must also be sustainable within the environment we work. Without that support, we would not be commercially sustainable.
Of what use is the recycled waste at this facility?
The product we collect from the municipal waste has lots of uses. The paper for instance, is sold to make tissue paper, the PET Bottle are sold for conversion to fibre for pillow or cushion and also for synthetic cotton for clothing. The other plastics are sold for many varied products, even for making suitcases in Abia. We have fared well, our operations are continuing to improve and we expect 2016 to be better. Our operations will move to a double shift by February and we are employing 200 more people.
In terms of waste conversion to energy, how much waste is required on an average, to serve a place like Alimosho, for instance?
Waste conversion to energy can be done in many ways. Burning is one way most people are familiar with, but it is generally accepted that the emission from such operations are potentially hazardous, and having to deal with the ash is a problem. But for us as a business, the conversion to energy is low, so we do not think that method is commercially viable. We prefer a process of thermochemical decomposition, which heats the waste to such high temperatures in the absence of oxygen that it generates a gas, which can then be used to run the power generators.
As a rule of thumb, 1 tonne of dry municipal solid waste will produce 1MwHr of power. Based on our feasibility study and detailed waste characterisation, we would expect to run a 16Mw IPP for the Alimosho area, that would be enough to fuel the Alimosho General Hospital, including the new nursing home for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Another phase of the project is supposed to focus on production of compost. How has the facility fared in this regard?
The compost, often referred to as organic fertiliser is perfect for lawns, parklands and agricultural use. Critically, organic fertiliser is designed to arrest the impact of desertification, as the nature of the compost retains the water in the soil for longer, and is 100 per cent natural. We are yet to start this phase, but we are at the early stages of planning.
How do you sort the waste? Is the waste needed for generating energy different other wastes?
The waste is sorted in the first instance mechanically, which removes all the heavies. We then sort them manually into the valuable fractions such as plastics, paper, metals etc. The waste for generating electricity is the non-recyclable material or materials where the cost of cleaning the waste is greater than its commercial value. Regardless of that, we remove all of this from the municipal solid waste which we receive from the Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.
How would you rate Nigerians, especially Lagosians’ attitude towards waste disposal?
Like many large cities in developing economies, Mumbai, Delhi etc, waste collection is the priority, and not the sanitised disposal of the waste. If one was to examine the Environmental Days, it is obvious that Lagosians have a very positive attitude toward waste, but throwing of the single coke bottle or pure water bag to the kerb does not bother them. But when you have a population of almost 20 million people, that is a lot of bottles daily, clogging up drains. I remember in the UK when I was growing up, there was a big campaign to ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ and it is that concept which we are trying to bring to Lagos, #keeplagosclean.
Do you think the waste we all create can power every home in Nigeria?
No, the Nigerian demand for energy is massive and that is part of the problem. Fossil fuels still have a very important role, but I would expect diesel and PMS to become much less a part of the energy mix, and more renewable energies and gas.
The generation of power is not difficult, even in Nigeria. The challenge for any country and particularly those in hot temperate climates is distribution; chronic underinvestment and chronic technical challenges make the national grid network very challenging in West Africa. It is my opinion that more localised grid networks are the way forward and I believe a lot of developed economies are going to move toward more local networks using renewable energy as their fuel.
Although waste generation is paramount to the company’s existence, do you educate people to reduce their waste?
Yes we do. It is a paradox to us too, that as a company we do try to get people to reduce their waste generation. A part of my job which I enjoy most is the school visits. We host schools and give them a tour of the factory and show the products the waste is converted into and educate the children in the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We are convinced that you have to start with the children, get them to focus on the environment at an early age and you have a captive audience for life.
What strategies would you recommend to African nations to keep up with the Paris Agreement of keeping a global temperature rise at no more than 2 degrees Celsius?
The Paris Agreement is going to be very hard for Africa, but not impossible. Although I really know most about West Africa, I think the same issues apply for Africa generally, and the challenge for Africa is the population growth, which is going to be very large over the next 30 years.
Nigeria itself is projected to be the third most populated country on the planet, so to grow and manage an economy to support all those people and restrict environmental impact is a big task for anyone. But I see it as a huge opportunity to the green economy and if done correctly from people within Africa, Africa can lead the way with China, India and Southern American countries on renewable energy and climate change.
The first strategy I would recommend is to take it seriously. Climate change is happening and needs adaption methodologies to restrict the impact on the most vulnerable. The fact it is happening is not debated, only the causes of it are still proving contentious. Also, another strategy would be to act collectively. This is global problem and on the continent of Africa, it is an African problem, not this country or that country, so I would recommend a transfer of ideas and technology within the African Union.
The third strategy would be to collect data, data and more data. African countries need to know their starting point and therefore measure the impact any action is having. Finally, African nations should be brave and solve what they can solve; they do not need to be overly ambitions, but to be brave in the projects, their thinking and facing the challenges.
The Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is just the first stage in a three-phase project. The MRF sorts the valuable fraction from the solid waste and we sell that into the Nigerian economy. It is important to us that as long as we have demand in Nigeria for our products, then we supply local, because the Nigerian economy will only grow by adding value in Nigeria and exporting the value added products.
Also, Alimosho is the largest and most populated local government in Nigeria. It is a location of four dumpsites, all really an eyesore, causing environmental harm to the local communities. The extent of that damage is much debated and I believe that there are better ways to manage that waste. So we chose Alimosho as it had the correct feedstock and would have a significant positive impact on the local community. It was an agreed location between the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and us.
WestAfricaENRG also adopted the Compassionate Orphanage in that area…
Yes, as a company and for any business, it is important to be a part of the community in which you work. The support of the Compassionate Orphanage is our way of giving back to the less fortunate members of the community. Although our business has to be commercially sustainable, we must also be sustainable within the environment we work. Without that support, we would not be commercially sustainable.
Of what use is the recycled waste at this facility?
The product we collect from the municipal waste has lots of uses. The paper for instance, is sold to make tissue paper, the PET Bottle are sold for conversion to fibre for pillow or cushion and also for synthetic cotton for clothing. The other plastics are sold for many varied products, even for making suitcases in Abia. We have fared well, our operations are continuing to improve and we expect 2016 to be better. Our operations will move to a double shift by February and we are employing 200 more people.
In terms of waste conversion to energy, how much waste is required on an average, to serve a place like Alimosho, for instance?
Waste conversion to energy can be done in many ways. Burning is one way most people are familiar with, but it is generally accepted that the emission from such operations are potentially hazardous, and having to deal with the ash is a problem. But for us as a business, the conversion to energy is low, so we do not think that method is commercially viable. We prefer a process of thermochemical decomposition, which heats the waste to such high temperatures in the absence of oxygen that it generates a gas, which can then be used to run the power generators.
As a rule of thumb, 1 tonne of dry municipal solid waste will produce 1MwHr of power. Based on our feasibility study and detailed waste characterisation, we would expect to run a 16Mw IPP for the Alimosho area, that would be enough to fuel the Alimosho General Hospital, including the new nursing home for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Another phase of the project is supposed to focus on production of compost. How has the facility fared in this regard?
The compost, often referred to as organic fertiliser is perfect for lawns, parklands and agricultural use. Critically, organic fertiliser is designed to arrest the impact of desertification, as the nature of the compost retains the water in the soil for longer, and is 100 per cent natural. We are yet to start this phase, but we are at the early stages of planning.
How do you sort the waste? Is the waste needed for generating energy different other wastes?
The waste is sorted in the first instance mechanically, which removes all the heavies. We then sort them manually into the valuable fractions such as plastics, paper, metals etc. The waste for generating electricity is the non-recyclable material or materials where the cost of cleaning the waste is greater than its commercial value. Regardless of that, we remove all of this from the municipal solid waste which we receive from the Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.
How would you rate Nigerians, especially Lagosians’ attitude towards waste disposal?
Like many large cities in developing economies, Mumbai, Delhi etc, waste collection is the priority, and not the sanitised disposal of the waste. If one was to examine the Environmental Days, it is obvious that Lagosians have a very positive attitude toward waste, but throwing of the single coke bottle or pure water bag to the kerb does not bother them. But when you have a population of almost 20 million people, that is a lot of bottles daily, clogging up drains. I remember in the UK when I was growing up, there was a big campaign to ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ and it is that concept which we are trying to bring to Lagos, #keeplagosclean.
Do you think the waste we all create can power every home in Nigeria?
No, the Nigerian demand for energy is massive and that is part of the problem. Fossil fuels still have a very important role, but I would expect diesel and PMS to become much less a part of the energy mix, and more renewable energies and gas.
The generation of power is not difficult, even in Nigeria. The challenge for any country and particularly those in hot temperate climates is distribution; chronic underinvestment and chronic technical challenges make the national grid network very challenging in West Africa. It is my opinion that more localised grid networks are the way forward and I believe a lot of developed economies are going to move toward more local networks using renewable energy as their fuel.
Although waste generation is paramount to the company’s existence, do you educate people to reduce their waste?
Yes we do. It is a paradox to us too, that as a company we do try to get people to reduce their waste generation. A part of my job which I enjoy most is the school visits. We host schools and give them a tour of the factory and show the products the waste is converted into and educate the children in the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We are convinced that you have to start with the children, get them to focus on the environment at an early age and you have a captive audience for life.
What strategies would you recommend to African nations to keep up with the Paris Agreement of keeping a global temperature rise at no more than 2 degrees Celsius?
The Paris Agreement is going to be very hard for Africa, but not impossible. Although I really know most about West Africa, I think the same issues apply for Africa generally, and the challenge for Africa is the population growth, which is going to be very large over the next 30 years.
Nigeria itself is projected to be the third most populated country on the planet, so to grow and manage an economy to support all those people and restrict environmental impact is a big task for anyone. But I see it as a huge opportunity to the green economy and if done correctly from people within Africa, Africa can lead the way with China, India and Southern American countries on renewable energy and climate change.
The first strategy I would recommend is to take it seriously. Climate change is happening and needs adaption methodologies to restrict the impact on the most vulnerable. The fact it is happening is not debated, only the causes of it are still proving contentious. Also, another strategy would be to act collectively. This is global problem and on the continent of Africa, it is an African problem, not this country or that country, so I would recommend a transfer of ideas and technology within the African Union.
The third strategy would be to collect data, data and more data. African countries need to know their starting point and therefore measure the impact any action is having. Finally, African nations should be brave and solve what they can solve; they do not need to be overly ambitions, but to be brave in the projects, their thinking and facing the challenges.
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