Renewable energy resources for distributed power generation in Nigeria: A review of the potential

Fossil fuels-based conventional grid extension in developing countries from centralized power systems in urban centres to rural areas is usually capital intensive and in most cases not economically realistic. From a global perspective, more than a quarter of the human population experiences an energy crisis, especially those living in the rural areas of developing countries. Among these numerous victims of global energy shortage are the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa, like Nigeria. More than 80% of Nigerians consistently rely on combustible biomass especially from forest wood and its charcoal derivatives for primary energy consumption amidst a serious shortage of access to modern energy sources. Nigeria has abundant renewable and non-renewable energy resources. While most attention is concentrated on tapping only the traditional bioenergy resources, other renewable energy resources are underexploited. This article reviews comprehensively the potential of four major kinds of renewable energy sources (biomass, solar, wind and hydro) in Nigeria. A total energy potential of 697.15TJ is estimated from crop residue, 455.80PJ from animal waste and 442MW from municipal solid waste in Lagos metropolis alone. The solar radiation in the country ranges from 4kWh/m² in the south to 7kWh/m² in the north, which is sufficiently above the threshold average value of 2.3kWh/m² required for the operation of simple domestic load especially in rural communities. Wind speed in the country varies from 1m/s in the southern plain to 7.96m/s far northwest in Katsina State between June and September. Unexploitable hydropower potential of 12,954.2MW also exists as against the backdrop of 10,000MW required to raise the socio-economic growth level and alleviate poverty in the country.