Conversion of organic wastes to electricity in Nigeria: legal perspective on the challenges and prospects

Abstract

This study explores the need for conversion of wastes to energy for a sustainable power sector and environmental development in Nigeria, to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and to offer incentives for investments in renewable energy sources, and to mitigate the concerns on disposal of hazardous wastes in the country. The study adopts a library-based doctrinal legal research technique with a conceptual approach, relying on existing literature. It explores the potency of existing laws and other legal provisions binding on the practice of waste management to power in Nigeria. Also, it carries out a comparative appraisal of the renewable system through organic wastes to electricity in other countries. The key finding of the study is that if practical measures are taken by the Nigerian government to control waste disposal, it will minimise wastes from the various sources in conformity with the legal and regulatory requirements and this can be utilised to generate electricity. The study proposes a model for converting wastes to electricity to sustain the ever-intensifying demands for energy and to combat ecological issues in Nigeria. The research concludes with recommendations for the fusion of regulations and non-regulatory incentives for conversion of wastes to electricity in Nigeria’s power sector and advocates coherent legal framework on sources of energy with stringent enforcement of energy laws for stable electricity generation and sustainability in Nigeria’s power sector.