Models for Sustainable Electricity Provision in Rural Areas Using Renewable Energy Technologies - Nigeria Case Study

Abstract

Sustainable electricity generation and supply in Nigeria has been a perennial challenge even though the country is one of the world’s leading exporters of oil and a member of organisation of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC). The reasons for this problem include persistent vandalism of energy infrastructure, high cost of gridline network and weak transmission, and distribution facilities. Existing capacity only provides electricity to 34% and 10% of urban centres and rural areas, respectively. Decentralised renewable energy technologies (RETs) may be a sustainable and economical alternative for meeting electricity demands of the rural communities representing two-thirds of the total country’s population. This research thus investigates alternative RETs that may provide sustainable electricity to Nigerian rural areas. Interview method was used. The findings reveal that the most suitable RETs in order of priority are biomass, solar PV, small hydropower, solar thermal, and wind energy systems. In addition, biomass energy systems (BES) being the most selected, has been subjected to further investigation; unlike the national energy policy under representation of BES, 77% of the interviewees agreed that BES utilisation in the country’s rural areas are suitable and desirable. Also, for implementation of BES, all the identified drivers and enablers should be taken into consideration. However, some identified constraints to adoption and development of BES include supply chain limitation, substantial land, and water requirements for set-up and processing. Thus, this study recommends that the existing rural areas energy policies be reviewed.