In a number of energy-poor nations, cassava peels represent one of the most abundant forms of lignocellulosic biomass available, and thus present an opportunity for use in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In an MFC with optimized electrode spacing, biomass produced a power density of 29 mWm(-3) in a single-chamber air cathode MFC. This work which examines a way to reduce environmental degradation caused by indiscriminate disposal of organic waste also confirmed the presence of naturally occurring electrogenic organism which can be exploited to recover energy as well as supplement energy production in the growing regions.