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Municipal Solid Waste Generation Trend and Bioenergy Recovery Potential: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • James Darmey

    (Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana)

  • Julius Cudjoe Ahiekpor

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana)

  • Satyanarayana Narra

    (Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany)

  • Osei-Wusu Achaw

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi P.O. Box 854, Ghana)

  • Herbert Fiifi Ansah

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

Finding sustainable solutions to the increasing waste generation in Ghana has received a lot of attention in recent years. Through several waste-to-energy processes, the energy potential of municipal solid waste has recently witnessed significant technological advancements. The Renewable Energy Master Plan has projected the production of about 122 MWp from waste-to-energy installations by 2030 in Ghana. To help policymakers and engineers achieve national goals, this paper reviews the waste generation in Ghana estimated from 2010 to 2030 and the status of various bioenergy technologies in Ghana. This paper further estimates the energy recovery potential of municipal solid waste in Ghana under incineration, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas recovery technologies. The review establishes that, by 2030, municipal solid waste generation will increase by 123% of the 2023 quantities and may produce 1484.25 MW of installed electricity capacity and 13,002.03 GWh per year, which would amount to nearly 59% of Ghana’s 2030 renewable energy target. Additionally, it was determined that anaerobic digestion, incineration, and landfill gas recovery technologies, when properly developed, will add 105.33 MW, 301.4 MW, and 377.31 MW of installed electrical capacity, respectively, to Ghana’s energy mix in 2028.

Suggested Citation

  • James Darmey & Julius Cudjoe Ahiekpor & Satyanarayana Narra & Osei-Wusu Achaw & Herbert Fiifi Ansah, 2023. "Municipal Solid Waste Generation Trend and Bioenergy Recovery Potential: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:23:p:7753-:d:1287017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ekua Afrakoma Armoo & Theophilus Baidoo & Mutala Mohammed & Francis Boateng Agyenim & Francis Kemausuor & Satyanarayana Narra, 2025. "Environmental Assessment of Hybrid Waste-to-Energy System in Ghana," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Pius Gamette & Clement Oteng, 2025. "Implementation of environmental tax in Sub-Saharan Africa: a comparative analysis from policy adopter and policy pioneers," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 1-23, February.
    3. James Darmey & Satyanarayana Narra & Osei-Wusu Achaw & Walter Stinner & Julius Cudjoe Ahiekpor & Herbert Fiifi Ansah & Berah Aurelie N’guessan & Theophilus Ofori Agyekum & Emmanuel Mawuli Koku Nutakor, 2025. "A Review of Pretreatment Strategies for Anaerobic Digestion: Unlocking the Biogas Generation Potential of Wastes in Ghana," Waste, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-41, July.

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