A techno-economic assessment on biomass waste-to-energy potential in Cameroon

Abstract

Biomass waste-to-energy (WtE) offers a critical solution to carbon neutrality through improving the resource recycling and recovery. This study comprehensively assessed how WtE can be implemented in generating electricity for Cameroon with an estimation to the energy potential of anaerobic digestion of three organic waste streams including municipal solid waste, wastewater sludge, and livestock manure. We assessed the energy potential in terms of the theoretical, technical, and economic potentials. The findings highlighted a theoretical energy potential of 936.37 TWh yr−1 in Cameroon. If only applied to a fraction of organic wastes, the technical potential could reach 48.64 TWh yr−1. Furthermore, considering the economic costs of technology installation, 17.06 TWh yr−1 could be generated, and this economic generation potential could supply to 38.9% of the country’s current electricity demand. This study implies that WtE would significantly reduce fossil fuels consumption and greenhouse gases emissions from poorly disposed wastes, to enable decarbonization transition and improve human health in African countries.