Assessing small hydropower sites in Nigeria for sustainable development using ArcGIS

Abstract

This paper focuses on the prospects of small hydropower plants (SHP) in Nigeria and utilizes ArcGIS software for analyzing the country’s hydropower energy potential. The analysis conducted using ArcGIS reveals the significant SHP potential in various states across Nigeria. By overlaying water areas and waterline data on maps, potential sites for SHP are identified, particularly in states such as Borno, Niger, Edo, Anambra, and Jigawa. Further analysis was done using data for water lines in Nigeria converted into shaped files for the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with the various states and local government areas, to provide expanded views for different possible schemes for SHP. Data set were built up for the different geopolitical zones and statistical analyses were done for SHP potentials. Interpolations were performed using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) tool on ArcGIS to show areas ideally suitable to site dam schemes for hydropower production and other schemes that require less water storage for small hydropower production. The strengths of each state in the various zones with regard to water inlands and lands subject to inundation were also identified. Some major challenges and opportunities in using ArcGIS in assessing small hydropower schemes in Nigeria, were also highlighted.