The Lagos State Government has signaled plans to partner with the Siemens Group on a new technology support initiative focused on converting waste to energy. This was made known during a strategic meeting held on Monday at Alausa, where key officials discussed the potential benefits of the partnership.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the collaboration will involve both the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
He explained that the state generates over 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, and there is a need to turn this into a resource for energy production.
“We have committed about 4000 tonnes of waste to waste to wealth, 1500 tonnes to a Dutch company, while a large chunk also goes to Lafarge to power their plants,” Wahab stated. He emphasized that a large quantity of municipal waste still remains unutilized, and Lagos is open to more waste-to-energy initiatives that can transform the lives of its residents.
Wahab also pointed out that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is working on unbundling the energy sector by implementing new state-level laws that allow power generation and distribution within the state.
He added that there are existing projects like the power plant in Epe and the Material Recovery Facilities in Ikorodu and Badagry aimed at reducing pressure on landfills.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, highlighted the state’s rapid urbanization and its impact on energy needs. He said, “The state is becoming more urbanised and growing rapidly and affecting the per capita,” adding that Lagos will ensure a favorable environment for private sector partners in the waste-to-energy sector.
Ogunleye stressed that the state government has already invested significant funds in the waste-to-energy program and encouraged Siemens to develop a viable business model that fits Lagos’ goals.
In response, the Commercial Director of Siemens Group, Durgen Schumann, expressed readiness to support the initiative. “We understand that waste is a big problem all over the world, and Siemens is ready to share its expertise to improve power generation in Lagos State,” Schumann said.
He explained that Siemens specializes in equipment used for power generation and is committed to helping Lagos achieve cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
