Solar thermal electricity in Nigeria: Prospects and challenges

Abstract

Electricity generation in Nigeria has experienced major setbacks despite her abundant resources that could earn her energy independence. In this paper, solar thermal resources for concentrating solar power (CSP) electricity generation are evaluated as means of achieving electricity availability in the country in the short, medium and long term programmes. Despite her abundant solar resource that is available which is comparably higher than those of most operational CSP sites in Europe and America, there is no existing CSP plant in the country. It is observed that the lack of immediate plans to achieve (in the near term) of solar thermal electricity is not a ‘lack of policy’ issue, rather a lack of strong political will to implement the renewable energy policies. Cost of technology, challenges of fossil fuel price and fossil fuel subsidy in the country are among the observed leading challenges that are capable of discouraging investors in this sector. However, government regulations could help to resolve these. It is suggested that oil and gas companies should contribute towards clean energy development in the country through carbon pay back programme as a way of increasing the chances of establishing solar thermal electricity in Nigeria.