The Nairobi County government has announced an ambitious initiative to establish a unique project within the city.
Governor Johnson Sakaja, on Thursday, February 6, revealed that discussions with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) were ongoing regarding energy production and distribution within Nairobi. This energy will be generated from waste products.
Dubbed the 'waste-to-energy' project, Sakaja disclosed that negotiations with a Chinese company are in the final stages to set up a waste-to-energy facility.
The governor aims to address Nairobi's waste management challenges while simultaneously generating energy, effectively tackling two issues at once.
“This initiative is not just about cleaning the city and estates. After cleaning, we will install waste bins in the CBD and residential areas. With this company, we will significantly increase waste collection, allowing us to convert it into energy,” Sakaja explained.
Once talks with EPRA are finalized, the county government intends to acquire 200 waste collection trucks to collect garbage in the city to facilitate a cleaner urban environment. Sakaja also intends to install waste bins in residential areas to maximise waste collection.
Meanwhile, the construction of the waste-to-energy facility is set to begin in May, with Sakaja also announcing the establishment of the Nairobi Green Company to oversee waste management, collection, and energy conversion.
According to the governor, this initiative will not only ensure the efficient use of waste but also create job opportunities for the youth involved in city cleaning efforts.
If waste collection efforts prove successful, the county government expects to generate 45 megawatts of power from waste materials.
This means that the waste-to-energy project could potentially power between 30,000 and 45,000 homes using waste products alone.
Typically, an average household consumes 1–1.5 kilowatts (kW) of continuous power daily. If successful, this project could provide a sustainable energy source while addressing Nairobi's waste management challenges.
The latest move by the governor follows a series of tough initiatives aimed at beautifying the city.
