Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

• Author(s): Modibbo Saleh Haruna; Sani Umar Muhammad; Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman
• Paper ID: 1719703
• Page: 1142-1149
• Published Date: 14-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719703

Abstract

Kaduna Metropolis faces escalating municipal solid waste (MSW) challenges driven by rapid urbanization and population growth, projected to exceed 1.7 million by 2040. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic feasibility assessment of incineration as the primary waste-to-energy (WtE) technology for electricity generation. Leveraging secondary data, the analysis employs an exponential population growth model (base population of 1,133,600 in 2022 at 2.5% annual growth rate) and a per capita waste generation rate of 0.44 kg/capita/day with 40% collection efficiency. Consequently, total MSW generation is forecasted to increase from approximately 182,056 tons in 2022 to 283,945 tons in 2040, with collected volumes rising from 72,822 tons to 113,578 tons annually. Proximate and ultimate analyses of Kaduna’s MSW reveal a high organic fraction (~53.5% food waste) and a low lower heating value (LHV) of approximately 4.12 MJ/kg. Energy recovery modeling for a grate-fired incineration plant coupled with a steam turbine (electrical efficiency ~22%, capacity factor 80%) estimates potential electricity generation of 12.19 GWh in 2022, scaling to 19.13 GWh by 2040. Exergy analysis indicates an overall system efficiency of ~3.56%, with the incinerator responsible for approximately 91% of total exergy destruction, primarily due to combustion irreversibilities. Economic evaluation using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) under base-case assumptions (capital investment of USD 80–120 million for a 10–20 MW facility, electricity tariff of USD 0.12/kWh, 20-year lifespan, and 10% discount rate) suggests marginal viability. However, incorporating co-combustion with local agricultural residues, tipping fees, and carbon credits substantially enhances financial performance. Sensitivity analysis underscores collection efficiency and feedstock LHV as the most influential variables. The study concludes that MSW incineration offers a viable pathway for addressing Kaduna’s intertwined waste management and energy security challenges when integrated with source separation, pre-treatment, and supportive policies. Recommendations include pilot-scale implementation, public-private partnerships, and regulatory incentives to promote sustainable WtE deployment in medium-sized Nigerian cities.

Keywords

Municipal Solid Waste, Incineration, Waste-To-Energy, Techno-Economic Feasibility, Exergy Analysis, Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Citations

IRE Journals:
Modibbo Saleh Haruna, Sani Umar Muhammad, Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman "Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 1142-1149 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719703

IEEE:
Modibbo Saleh Haruna, Sani Umar Muhammad, Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman "Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719703

APA:
Modibbo Saleh Haruna, Sani Umar Muhammad, Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman (2026). Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719703

MLA:
Modibbo Saleh Haruna, Sani Umar Muhammad, Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman "Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719703

BibTeX

@article{1719703,
author = {Modibbo Saleh Haruna, Sani Umar Muhammad, Atiku Ibrahim Abdulrahman},
title = {Techno-Economic Feasibility of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Incineration for Electricity Generation in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {1142-1149},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719703.pdf},
abstract = {Kaduna Metropolis faces escalating municipal solid waste (MSW) challenges driven by rapid urbanization and population growth, projected to exceed 1.7 million by 2040. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic feasibility assessment of incineration as the primary waste-to-energy (WtE) technology for electricity generation. Leveraging secondary data, the analysis employs an exponential population growth model (base population of 1,133,600 in 2022 at 2.5% annual growth rate) and a per capita waste generation rate of 0.44 kg/capita/day with 40% collection efficiency. Consequently, total MSW generation is forecasted to increase from approximately 182,056 tons in 2022 to 283,945 tons in 2040, with collected volumes rising from 72,822 tons to 113,578 tons annually. Proximate and ultimate analyses of Kaduna’s MSW reveal a high organic fraction (~53.5% food waste) and a low lower heating value (LHV) of approximately 4.12 MJ/kg. Energy recovery modeling for a grate-fired incineration plant coupled with a steam turbine (electrical efficiency ~22%, capacity factor 80%) estimates potential electricity generation of 12.19 GWh in 2022, scaling to 19.13 GWh by 2040. Exergy analysis indicates an overall system efficiency of ~3.56%, with the incinerator responsible for approximately 91% of total exergy destruction, primarily due to combustion irreversibilities. Economic evaluation using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) under base-case assumptions (capital investment of USD 80–120 million for a 10–20 MW facility, electricity tariff of USD 0.12/kWh, 20-year lifespan, and 10% discount rate) suggests marginal viability. However, incorporating co-combustion with local agricultural residues, tipping fees, and carbon credits substantially enhances financial performance. Sensitivity analysis underscores collection efficiency and feedstock LHV as the most influential variables. The study concludes that MSW incineration offers a viable pathway for addressing Kaduna’s intertwined waste management and energy security challenges when integrated with source separation, pre-treatment, and supportive policies. Recommendations include pilot-scale implementation, public-private partnerships, and regulatory incentives to promote sustainable WtE deployment in medium-sized Nigerian cities.},
keywords = {Municipal Solid Waste, Incineration, Waste-To-Energy, Techno-Economic Feasibility, Exergy Analysis, Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria},
month = {July}
}