A GIS-based suitability analysis for siting a waste-to-energy power plant in Kaduna, Nigeria

The success of any waste management system requires accurate and up-to-date data on quantity, and composition of waste. Waste generation data from households are needed to address issues relating to municipal solid wastes such as management methods, performance improvement, policy, regional and local planning, administration, cost accounting, design and operation of landfill facilities, and environmental quality. This study carried out a suitability analysis for siting a waste-to-energy power plant in Kaduna using GIS and remote sensing techniques with the specific objectives of identifying existing waste dumpsite in the study area, identifying other factors needed for waste-to-energy plant in the area, and identifying the most suitability site of waste-to-energy in Kaduna. The slop map of the study area was created using the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM). In the ArcGIS environment, Euclidean distance analysis was performed on institutions, rivers, dumpsites, roads, markets, transmission lines, and electricity substations. The waste-to-energy power plant suitability map was created using a multi-criteria technique by overlaying the datasets. The waste-to-energy-power-plant suitability map was made by combining the criteria. Dogon Dawa, Sabon Birinin Jaji, Ganga, Buruku, chikun, Dokwa, ikara, and Kuban are the best sites. The results of the site suitability assessment further revealed that the Makafia local government, located in the city's northern outskirts, was the most suitable area for locating the waste-to-energy power plant, covering 73686 hectares, or 26% of the total area. In addition, the map lays the groundwork for decision-makers to locate a waste-to-energy generating plant.
This study shows how decision-making about solid waste management may benefit from the use of geospatial technology. Additionally, it is advised that before approving the placement of a waste-to-energy power plant, decision-makers in the study region refer to it as a reference.