Contextualizing hazard mitigation policy for electricity grids in the Sudan Sahel Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Electricity grid resilience in the face of unending hazards plays a crucial role in energy security of a nation. Based on hazard impact variability across different regions of Nigeria, formulating and implementing a contextualized environmental hazard mitigation policy to reduce grid vulnerability to the multiple effects of hazards and disasters is a strategic imperative that can result to longevity of grid networks, with increased probability of critical success factors such as safety, reliability of electricity supply and electricity access in the Sudan Sahel region of Nigeria. Policies outlined in the Nigeria's National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) and the scope of its National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) takes no cognizance of the peculiar environmental hazards and disasters that impinges on sustainability of electricity grid infrastructures, and the mitigation strategies to reduce their risks, with reference to the Sudan Sahel region. This paper provides insight on the Sahelian hazards, overview shortcomings of the NDMF and NDRP, and advocates for the contextualization of hazard mitigation policy for electricity grids in the Sudan Sahel based on international best practices and findings of field surveys of the Zamfara Sahel.