Biomass Residues from Agriculture and Potential Contribution towards Modern Energy Supply in West Africa

Access to modern energy services especially in developing countries is an urgent issue. Globally, 1.3 billion people do not have access to modern energy and the services associated with it. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions have profound lack of modern energy access. The objective of this paper is to understand the role that residues obtained from agricultural practices could be utilised in providing electricity for use in West African countries.

Selected countries include: Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. The study utilized methods developed by Mendu et. al. 2012, Mabeeet. al. 2010, Ackom et.al., 2013, to estimate electricity production from agricultural residues in the selected countries. This study considered competing utilization of residues for animal fodder, bedding and nutrient recycling in the region.

Findings show bioelectricity from residues could supply 0.6 x 106-1.5 x 106MWh (Ghana), 4.5 x 106-13 x 10 6MWh (Nigeria), 0.5 x 106-1.2 x 106 MWh (Senegal) and 0.2 x 106–1.3 x 106 MWh (Togo). This could help bring increased electrification from a renewable energy source to the countries especially in the farming communities where the residue abounds thus ensuring good prospect for improved quality of life, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.