Senegal launches a waste-to-energy project in Kaolack

The Senegalese National Electricity Company (SENELEC) and the National Integrated Waste Management Company (SONAGED) have partnered together to launch a waste-to-energy project in in the western city of Kaolack.

The project envisaged by SENELEC and SONAGED is in line with the “zero waste” programme underway in Senegal. According to the authorities, the aim is to enable the recycling of plastic, glass and paper, as well as the industrial destruction of materials deemed toxic, dangerous or harmful to public health and the environment.

Senegal produces 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which only 9,000 tonnes are recycled. The project will be located 223 km from the capital Dakar. Under the zero waste programme, the mining region of Thiès, 67 km east of Dakar, will benefit from a set of infrastructures aimed at improving waste management for the well-being of its 2 million inhabitants.

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The initiative, financed to the tune of US $47M by the Senegalese government, will allow for the installation of pre-collection and collection equipment and the construction of waste treatment infrastructures.

“The pace will be accelerated. We will take all the necessary steps for the start-up of this first power station to produce electricity from waste, so that what has been our dark spot until now can be our wealth, namely waste. Upon implementation this project would contribute to the reduction of pollution in Senegal,” said Papa Demba Biteye, the Director General of SENELEC.

The Senegalese government also plans to build 76 infrastructures, including waste collection and recovery centres in 43 councils in the Thiès region, such as Fissel, Séssène, Sindia, Moussa, Notto, Thiénaba, Méouane, Niakkhène and Pambal. The project will be implemented by the Coordination Unit of the Project for the Promotion of Integrated Management and Economy of Solid Waste in Senegal (PROMOGED).