Investigating the Impacts of Energy Access Scenarios in the Nigerian Household Sector by 2030

Michael O Dioha,Nnaemeka Vincent Emodi

doi:10.3390/resources8030127

Michael O Dioha, Nnaemeka Vincent Emodi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8030127

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Abstract

Lack of access to modern forms of energy continues to hamper socio-economic development in Nigeria, and about 94% and 39% of the Nigerian population do not have access to clean cooking equipment and electricity, respectively. The United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative and Sustainable Development Goal number seven seek to provide universal modern energy for all by 2030. However, the implications of these global goals on Nigeria’s energy system have not been well researched in the literature. In this study, we applied the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning Systems model to analyse the impacts of different energy access scenarios by 2030 on household energy consumption, CO2 emissions and local air pollutant emissions. We also analysed different scenarios for biomass renewability in order to understand its impact on household net CO2 emissions. We found that achieving a 100% modern energy access by 2030 would reduce final energy demand by around 845 PJ, which is equivalent to a 52.4% reduction when compared to the baseline scenario. A 100% modern access would also significantly reduce local air pollutants, but increase CO2 emissions significantly by 16.7 MtCO2 compared to the baseline scenario. Our analysis shows that the benefits of modern energy access have been limited in Nigeria due to poor financing and low income levels of households. Therefore, we argue that for a 100% modern energy access in Nigeria by 2030, there is a need to explore local and foreign funding sources, and a serious need to couple energy access programs in the country with income-generating activities.

Highlights

IntroductionThe provision of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services is pivotal in addressing many of today’s global problems, including climate change, poverty and food security [1]
Energy is an essential element for the socio-economic development and wellbeing of a society.The provision of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services is pivotal in addressing many of today’s global problems, including climate change, poverty and food security [1]
Access to modern energy services remains a huge challenge for many households in Nigeria, and the current study has shown the impacts which different energy access scenarios could have on household energy consumption and environmental emissions by 2030

Summary

Introduction

The provision of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services is pivotal in addressing many of today’s global problems, including climate change, poverty and food security [1]. Despite the growing concern about the importance of providing modern energy for all, the number of households globally depending on traditional solid fuels for cooking is increasing [2]. Around 1.06 billion people do not have access to electricity, while around 2.5 billion people do not have access to clean cooking facilities [2]. In Nigeria, around 94% and 39% of the population do not have access to clean cooking facilities and electricity, respectively [2]. The concern assumes even greater significance in the era of climate change, owing to the low adaptation capacity of Nigeria. The health consequences attributed to a lack of access to modern energy services are dire, and it contributes to the depletion of forests which are meant to be carbon sinks

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