Energy In Nigeria Research Articles

Energy consumption, inter-fuel substitution and economic growth in Nigeria

Nigeria's energy mix has been dominated by petroleum with a year on year increase due to huge petroleum subsidy by the government. This study adopts the translog production function to investigate the potential for inter-factor and inter-fuel substitution between capital, labor, petroleum and electricity. Ridge regression has been adopted to estimate the model's parameters due to evidence of multicollinearity in the data. The results show that all input pairs are substitutes; and as such, adopting competitive pricing policies and removal of petroleum subsidies and price ceilings would redirect industries towards an increased use of electricity and increase capital and labor intensiveness. In addition, the study shows that a 5% and 10% increase of investment in petroleum reduction technologies for the period 2010, 2011 and 2012 would reduce CO2 emissions by 1.13518, 1.8554, 1.2722 and 2.27119, 2.37109, 2.49444 million metric tons respectively. Furthermore, the study points to evidence for convergence in relative technical progress among the various input pairs with electricity registering the fastest rate. These imply that petroleum would gradually lose its dominance in Nigerian energy mix.

Climate change mitigation: the potential of agriculture as a renewable energy source in Nigeria.

Energy is pivotal to the economic development of every nation. However, its production and utilization leads to undesirable carbon emissions that aggravate global warming which results in climate change. The agriculture sector is a significant user of energy. However, it has the potential to be a major contributor to Nigeria's energy supply mix in meeting its energy deficit. More so, in the light of current and impending adverse effects of climate change, there is a need to contain GHG's emissions. This paper focuses on bioenergy utilization as a climate change mitigation strategy and one that can, through effective waste management, enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The paper employed a critical discourse analysis to examine the potential of the agricultural sector to provide biofuels from energy crops and other biomass sources. We conclude that Nigeria can reduce its GHG emissions and greatly contribute to global climate change mitigation while also alleviating its energy supply deficit if the agricultural and municipal wastes readily available in its towns and cities are converted to bioenergy. Such engagements will not only promote a clean and healthy environment but also create jobs for economic empowerment and a better standard of living for the people.

Policies Enhancing Renewable Energy Development and Implications for Nigeria

The main objective of this study was to review the various policies and strategies promoting renewable energy development around the world. The success and failures of each country and regions were examined through a case study so as to learn some valuable lessons and derive useful implications for the development of renewable energy in Nigeria. The study initially reviewed the current renewable energy policies and identified the barriers to the development of renewable energy technology in Nigeria. The lessons from the case study were classified into support mechanisms which include; capital, fiscal, tax incentives, legislative, political, technological and environmental support. The lessons from case study were used to develop implications in addressing the development of renewable energy technologies through effective policies and strategies in Nigeria. Furthermore, some future perspectives of renewable energy development in Nigeria were discussed. This study intends to support the Nigerian government and policymakers in decisions making and policy formulation on the short-, medium- and long-term.

Renewable Energy in Nigeria: The Challenges and Opportunities in Mountainous and Riverine Regions

Renewable energy system has become a salient alternative of power in remote small mountainous and riverine regions. High cost of electricity supply and carbon emission reduction could be achieved with the use of renewable energy. This work presents the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy in Nigeria. The various renewable energy sources in Nigeria and their potential was discussed in light of the established master plan of the energy commission of Nigeria. Some of the challenges facing renewable energy development and implementation were highlighted and the various opportunities available were also emphasized. A micro power off grid system made of Biomass, Hydro and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) was proposed to power a mountainous and riverine region that is not grid connected based on the renewable energy potentials available in the region. This topology would not only help reduce the cost of electricity production, but also improve the carbon credit, making the environment eco-friendly.

Renewable Energy in Nigeria: The Challenges and Opportunities in Mountainous and Riverine Regions

Renewable Energy in Nigeria: The Challenges and Opportunities in Mountainous and Riverine Regions

A comprehensive review of biomass resources and biofuel production in Nigeria: potential and prospects.

The quest for biofuels in Nigeria, no doubt, represents a legitimate ambition. This is so because the focus on biofuel production has assumed a global dimension, and the benefits that may accrue from such effort may turn out to be enormous if the preconditions are adequately satisfied. As a member of the global community, it has become exigent for Nigeria to explore other potential means of bettering her already impoverished economy. Biomass is the major energy source in Nigeria, contributing about 78% of Nigeria's primary energy supply. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the potential of biomass resources and biofuel production in Nigeria is given. The study adopted a desk review of existing literatures on major energy crops produced in Nigeria. A brief description of the current biofuel developmental activities in the country is also given. A variety of biomass resources exist in the country in large quantities with opportunities for expansion. Biomass resources considered include agricultural crops, agricultural crop residues, forestry resources, municipal solid waste, and animal waste. However, the prospects of achieving this giant stride appear not to be feasible in Nigeria. Although the focus on biofuel production may be a worthwhile endeavor in view of Nigeria's development woes, the paper argues that because Nigeria is yet to adequately satisfy the preconditions for such program, the effort may be designed to fail after all. To avoid this, the government must address key areas of concern such as food insecurity, environmental crisis, and blatant corruption in all quarters. It is concluded that given the large availability of biomass resources in Nigeria, there is immense potential for biofuel production from these biomass resources. With the very high potential for biofuel production, the governments as well as private investors are therefore encouraged to take practical steps toward investing in agriculture for the production of energy crops and the establishment of biofuel-processing plants in Nigeria.

Obstacles and Way Forward in Promoting Renewable Energy in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the world’s leading producers of crude oil and yet it is a net importer of refined oil. Its average daily premium motor spirit (PMS) consumption is 30 million liters. At 100% capacity the nation’s refineries will produce 17.74 million liters of premium motor spirit daily. A shortfall of over 10 million liters per day exists. Recent estimates stipulate that Nigeria requires 20,000 MW of electricity per annum. The projected electricity supply from all sources (conventional and renewable) in Nigeria in the short (2007), medium (2015) and long term (2025) is estimated to be 7000 MW, 14000 MW and 29,000 MW respectively. Annual peak electricity demand in Nigeria will increase from 4,558 MW to 45,755 MW in 2050 at high growth rate and 4,558 to 19,599 MW for low growth. Nigeria’s electricity per capita of 27 W/person is not enough to light an electric incandescent bulb of 30 W. These provide enough justification for the use of renewable energy in Nigeria. The use of renewable energy in Nigeria is hindered by the lack of regulation, financial incentives, energy infrastructures, framework for sustainability and technical expertise. Overcoming these obstacles will require invigorating research and development in renewable energy technologies, training and education to build local technical capacity, diversification of energy mix and scaling up of renewable energy utilization, aggressive capacity building in all areas of energy development and creation of enabling environment that will attract investment in energy infrastructure. This paper discusses the obstacles and way forward in promoting renewable energy in Nigeria.

The cost of carbon–dioxide abatement in Nigeria's energy sector

The cost of carbon dioxide abatement in Nigeria's energy sector has been estimated using MARKAL, a large–scale linear optimisation model, for the period between 1990 and the year 2030. The baseline scenario is based on the concept of the most–likely development–path in the energy system. An integrated abatement scenario is then developed by augmenting the baseline scenario with a set of abatement options: demand–side options, supply–side options, options for increased use of renewable resources, and options for increased use of the associated natural gas that is currently being flared in Nigerian oil fields. The options are assessed and ranked on the basis of their incremental costs per ton of carbon dioxide reduced. Finally, results of a sensitivity study of the model based on perturbations in energy demand growth assumptions are discussed.

An integrated impact assessment of hydrogen as a future energy carrier in Nigeria's transportation, energy and power sectors

A hydrogen economy, the long-term goal of visionary nations, has the potential to provide energy security, along with environmental and economic benefits. The concept of a hydrogen energy economy was first conceived at The Hydrogen Economy Miami Energy (THEME) Conference, held in March 1974 in Miami, Florida, where the International Association for Hydrogen Energy was established. Forty years later, advances in hydrogen technologies have led the world's most developed countries to invest extensively in preparation for a future hydrogen-based economy. However, the transition from a conventional petroleum-based energy economy to a hydrogen economy involves many uncertainties regarding concerns such as the development of efficient fuel cell technologies, problems in hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure, hydrogen safety issues, and the response of carbon-based fuel markets. This paper presents an assessment of the economic impact of hydrogen energy on the transportation and energy use sectors of Nigeria, along with implications for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The analysis uses the Long range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) technology database and model to simultaneously consider the impact of alternative and conventional technologies and fuels on these sectors.

Public Sensitisation on the Adoption of Renewable Energy in Nigeria: Communicating the Way Forward

In the last three decades, the usage of power had grown astronomical in both developed and developing countries of the World. Petroleum storage has continued to decrease in recent years. According to OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) the storage of oil will be used out by the 21 st Century, and in addition, the global warming has now become a thing of reality, even to common people. Therefore, judging from a developmental communication perspective, it has become an issue of urgent importance to sensitise the people on how to make good use of renewable energy in their daily energy demands. The purpose of this research is to create awareness, inform and educate on the concept of renewable energy. Therefore to achieve these objectives, the following guided questions are answered: what it is renewable energy? What are the different types of renewable energy? What are the roles of renewable energy in Nigeria power supply? What are possible hindrances to renewable energy usage in Nigeria? And finally, in which ways can Nigerian government create incentives and encourage the people to adopt renewable energy for use? This paper argues that people must be educated as to the benefits of considering renewable energy for energy generation in Nigeria and that government should put in place adequate incentives for ease of facility procurement and rewards for all adopters. Therefore, this paper concludes that serious awareness must be created among society coupled with provision of facilities and incentives for people to adopt usage of renewable energy in Nigeria.

Nigeria's energy policy: Inferences, analysis and legal ethics toward RE development

The study critically assessed the various policy issues of sustainable energy development in Nigeria. The basic focus was to discuss and analyze some of the laws of the federation as it relates to the development of Renewable Energy in Nigeria. It surveyed the nation's energy policy statement and the vision 20:2020 of the federal government. The Renewable Energy Master Plan developed by the joint efforts of the Energy Commission of Nigeria and United Nations Development Programs were also appraised. The level of development and the index of renewable energy production as stated by the policy statement, the vision 20:2020 and the Renewable Energy Master Plan were highlighted. The study found some policy challenges which include weak government motivation, lack of economic incentives, multiple taxations, non-existent favorable customs and excise duty act to promote renewable energy technologies. Further to this, some legal reforms which may aid the promotion of renewable energy development in Nigeria and also make robust the nation's energy policy were proposed. Some of the laws that require amendment to promote renewable energy include the land use act, environmental impact assessment decree and the investment laws of the federation of Nigeria.

First nuclear power in Nigeria: an attempt to address the energy crisis?

This paper attempts to explore to what extent a first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) will improve the energy situation in Nigeria and investigates the socio-economic impacts of the NPP on the communities where the facilities are to be sited. Other issues that are addressed in this paper include the policy issues, lack of investments in power infrastructure and the security threat owing to incessant domestic militancy or terrorism. The paper then outlines the ways to tackle these problems and concludes that despite the facts that the addition of nuclear power into Nigeria's energy mix will help in curtailing the country's energy crisis, it also poses some challenges to the country that the policy and decision-makers must take into consideration right from the preliminary stages of the programme.

Turbulent Oil: Conflict and Insecurity in the Niger Delta

ABSTRACT The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has been engulfed by oil-related conflict for over two decades now, and concerns pertaining to Nigeria's national security, economic stability, and global energy security have been brought to the fore of global discourse. This paper reflects on the character and dynamics of oil turbulence and in particular the transformation of the conflict from a community protest against oil industry operations to insurgency and the counterinsurgent responses by state security forces. The article indentifies the availability of arms, endemic corruption, state violence, patterns of corporate practice, and the politics of oil revenue distribution as central to the origins of the contemporary crisis. The paper interrogates the amnesty program and draws attention to incomplete disarmament, poor post amnesty rehabilitation, and political contradictions as possible threats to its success.

Modeling of Linear and Exponential Growth and Decay Equations and Testing Them on Pre- and Post-War-Coal Production in Nigeria: An Operations Research Approach

Despite Nigeria's huge reserves in coal resource, the vanishing coal production over the years has been a source of grave concern to many who are interested in witnessing the diversification of Nigeria's energy sector to non-petroleum resources. Within the framework of Operations Research, linear growth and decay equations on one hand, and exponential growth and decay equations on the other hand, were modeled for coal production in Nigeria. Subsequently, the growth and decay models for linear and exponential considerations were tested on the annual coal production data with a view to establishing the appropriate characters/features of the profiles of Nigeria coal production from 1916 to 2001, under two scenarios, namely: Scenario 1—pre-Nigerian civil war period, 1916–1966; and Scenario 2—post-Nigerian civil war period, 1973–2001. The findings gave fascinating insights into the features of the Nigerian coal production. Thus in a nutshell, it was found that the pre-war period of coal production, 1916–1966 approximated to the linear growth trend. While the post-war period of coal production, 1973–2001 was close to the feature of exponential-decay curve. It is expected that the findings obtained from this investigation would help in planning for the rebirth of Nigerian coal production and its utilization in energy generation.

Nigeria's Energy Challenge and Power Development: The Way Forward

The ever increasing demand and meager supply of energy in Nigeria has been a great challenge to her development. This situation is becoming critical, with increasing population not balanced by an adequate energy development programme. The incessant power generation failure has grossly affected the economy, seriously slowing down development in rural and sub-rural settlements, with present energy policy mainly benefiting urban dwellers. Globally, energy projections stipulate that between 2002 and 2025, global energy needs may rise by over 34%, with that of developing nations doubling this percentage. A robust solution must be found to end the nation's energy crises. This Viewpoint compares the energy potential of Nigeria with the challenges faced. Nigeria receives a huge amount of solar radiation, has abundant wind energy resources, and large deposits of fossil fuel, as well as enormous hydro-power resources from Niger and Benue Rivers. However, of these about 80% of hydro-power remains untapped, the total 5.5KW-hr/m 2 /day of solar radiation is not utilized and wind energy resources remain unexploited. The solution lies in creating a mixed supply of energy in which as yet untapped renewable resources are combined with abundant non-renewable fossil fuel, including the massive quantities of gas wasted from crude oil exploitation.

Potential Availability of Energetically Usable Crop Residues in Nigeria

An assessment of the potential availability of selected residues from maize, cassava, millet, plantain, groundnuts, sorghum, oil palm, palm kernel, and cowpeas for possible conversion to renewable energy in Nigeria has been made. It is estimated that nearly 58 million tonnes of these residues were potentially available in the year 2004 with energy potential of about 20.8 million tonnes oil equivalents. The residue availability for 2010 is projected to be about 80 million tonnes. These residues, when converted to energetically usable forms, can substitute or complement the fossil energy sources in Nigeria by more than 80%.

Monetization of Nigeria Coal by Conversion to Hydrocarbon Fuels through Fischer-Tropsch Process

Given the instability of crude oil prices and the disruptions in crude oil supply chains, this article offers a complementing investment proposal through diversification of Nigeria's energy source and dependence. Therefore, the following issues were examined and reported: A comparative survey of coal and hydrocarbon reserve bases in Nigeria was undertaken and presented. An excursion into the economic, environmental, and technological justifications for the proposed diversification and roll-back to coal-based resource was also undertaken and presented. The technology available for coal beneficiation for environmental pollution control was reviewed and reported. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis bothering on the process chemistry and its advances into Sasol's slurry phase distillate process (sspdp) was reviewed. Specifically, the adoption of Sasol's advanced synthol process (sasp) and the slurry phase distillate process were recommended as ways of processing the products of coal gasification. The article concludes by discussing all the above-mentioned issues with regard to value addition as a means of wealth creation and investment.

Distributed generation in Nigeria's new energy industry

Nigeria's low electricity consumption (around 85 kWh per capita), provided mainly by National Nigerian Electric Power Authority Association's (NEPA's) unreliable system and infrastructure, poses a challenge to the government. NEPAs poor performance is one reason why the government decided to deregulate the industry which must be structured to give due weight to distributed generation. One of the factors in favour of distributed generation, especially in developing economies like Nigeria, is the need for secure electricity supplies for large industrial customers. NEPA has not offered reliable supplies, so distributed generation should bring the benefits of supply reliability and high power quality to industrial customers, complementing the activities of NEPA's electricity distribution service.

Renewable energy resources and technologies in Nigeria: present situation, future prospects and policy framework

Nigeria is endowed with abundant energy resources, both conventional and renewable, whichprovide her with immense capacity to develop an effective national energy plan. However, introduction of renewable energyresources into the nation's energy mix have implications on itsenergy budget. The national energy supply system has been projected intothe future using MARKAL, a large scale linear optimization model.However, this model may not be absolutely representative of the highlynon-linear future of renewable energy. Results of the model reveal that under onlya least cost constraint, only large hydro power technology is the prominentcommercial renewable energy technology in the electricity supply mix of thecountry. Despite the immense solar energy potentials available, solar electricity generation is attractive only under severeCO2 emissions mitigation of the nation's energy supply system. Similarly, the penetration of small-scale hydro power technology in theelectricity supply mix is favoured only under CO2 emissionsconstraints. Due to economy of scale, large hydropower technology takes the lion share of all the commercial renewableenergy resources share for electricity generation under any CO2emissions constraint. These analyses reveal that some barriers exist to thedevelopment and penetration of renewable energy resources electricity production in Nigeria's energy supplysystem. Barriers and possible strategies to overcome them arediscussed. Intensive efforts and realistic approachtowards energy supply system in the country will have to be adopted inorder to adequately exploit renewable energy resources and technologiesfor economic growth and development.

Nigeria's household energy sector: Issues and supply/demand frontiers

This paper deals with the energy situation in the household sector of the Nigerian economy. A review of the pattern of energy consumption in 1989 elucidates several critical characteristics of the sector. The sector accounts for about 65% of total final energy consumption in the country in 1989 with fuelwood providing about 81%. Four cardinal issues to be addressed in the sector are highlighted. The paper also presents the result of a useful energy demand forecast for the sector over the period 1989–2014, which shows that useful energy requirements will grow rapidly as a result of both economic and population growth. This is then used in an approach of supply/demand balancing to establish supply frontiers for final energy carriers under three scenarios. Finally, the issues in the sector are examined against the background of the results of the analysis.