Problems of Rural Electrification in Bayelsa State

Abstract

Rural electrification scheme is aimed at promoting the welfare of the rural community and improve the economic status of the people. The presence of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) is rarely felt, that the supply of power to Bayelsa from the grid is less than 10 percent. The Kolo creek gas turbine is only available to only two local communities in the state. The paper therefore is aimed at presenting these problems by studying the problems facing the present scheme in terms of capital cost, the dispersed settlement, the load profile and transport system. It was seen that the coastal environment and the fairly big rivers coupled with the high capital cost are major impediments to successful electrification of the state. It was seen that it cost sever time more than an equivalent scheme in the upload areas. With the abundant oil and gas resources and the renewable energies (solar and wind), off grid electrification project could be the solution to the electrification scheme if properly harnessed.