Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Published:
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adegbulugbe, A.O., Ibitoye, F.I. and Akinbami, J-F.K.: 1996, Greenhouse Gases Emission Reduction in Nigeria - Least-cost Reduction Strategies and Macroeconomic Impacts, Volume 3a: Energy Sector. A Study Report presented to US Country Studies Program, Washington, D.C.

  • Akinbami, J-F.K., Ilori, M.O., Oyebisi, T.O., Akinwumi, I.O. and Adeoti, O.: 2001, ‘Biogas energy use in Nigeria: Current status, future prospects and policy implications’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review, 5, 97–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akinbami, J-F.K.: 1997, ‘Comparative environmental effects and cost analysis between conventional and non-conventional energy source - A case for objective analysis and decision making in Nigeria's energy policy’, Nigerian J. Renewable Energy 5(1&2), 131–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Annual Energy Outlook: 1992, Table C6.

  • BEICIP, NNPC/NGC: 1991, Nigeria Gas Utilization Study, Interim Report DIP-90103, Volume 3.

  • BTM Consult ApS: 1999, International Wind Energy Development: World Market Update 1998, Denmark, BTM Consult.

    Google Scholar 

  • CEDEGAS: 1993, Natural Gas Statistics, Paris.

  • Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): 1993, EPRI TAG Technology, #22.1C.

  • Environmental Protection Agency: 1995, EPA's Inventory of Technologies, p. 74.

  • Federal Office of Statistics (FOS): 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, Annual Abstract of Statistics, Nigeria.

  • Federal Office of Statistics (FOS): 1992, Preliminary Report of General Household Survey, Nigeria.

  • Fishbone, L. G., Giesen, G., Goldstein, G., Hymmen, H.A., Stocks, K.J., Vos, H., Wilde, D., Zolcher, R., Balzer, C. and Abilock, H.: 1983, User's Guide for MARKAL, BNL-51701, Upton, NY, Brookhaven National Laboratory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, Y. and Yamaji, K.: 1998, ‘Assessment of technological options in the global energy system for limiting the atmospheric CO2 concentration’, Env. Econ. and Policy Stud. 1, 113–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, M.J.: 1990, ‘The Cinderella options: a study of modernized renewable energy technologies. Part 1 - A technical assessment’, Energy Policy 18(6), 525–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, M.J. and Meyer, N.I.: 1993, ‘Wind energy resources, systems and regional strategies’, in T.B. Johansson, H. Kelly, A.K.N. Reddy, and R.H. Williams (eds.), Renewable Energy: Sources for Fuels and Electricity, Washington DC, Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohmeyer, O.: 1992, ‘Renewables and the full costs of energy’, Energy Policy April, 365–375.

  • Holdren, J.P, Morris, G. and Mintzer, I.: 1980, ‘Environmental aspects of renewable energy sources’, Ann. Rev. Energy 5, 241–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibitoye, F.I., Adegbulugbe, A.O. and Akinbami, J-F.K.: 1998, ‘The cost of carbon-dioxide abatement in Nigeria's energy sector’, Int. J. of Global Energy Issues 10(2/4), 133–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibitoye, F.I., Akinbami, J-F.K. and Adegbulugbe, A.O.: 1998, ‘Optimal structure of Nigeria's energy sector under carbon-dioxide reduction’, Int. J. of Global Energy Issues 10(2/4), 145–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibitoye, F.I. and Akinbami, J-F.K.: 1999, ‘Strategies for implementation of CO2 mitigation options in Nigeria's energy sector’, Applied Energy 63(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • IIASA/WEC: 1998, Global Energy Perspective, in N. Nakicenivic, A. Grubler and A. McDonald (eds.), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IISA) and World Energy Council (WEC), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 300 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC" 1995, Guideline for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 3.

  • Larson, E.D., Williams, R.H. and Johansson, T.B.: 1999, Future Demands on Forests as a Source of Energy, New York, USA, Centre for Energy and Environmental Studies, Princeton University, United Nations Development Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovejoy, D.: 1984, Mission Report on Nigeria: Programme on Demonstration of Solar and Wind Energy in Northern Nigeria, New York: United Nations Department of Technical Cooperation and Development/United Nations Development Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGowan, F.: 1991, ‘Controlling the greenhouse effect: The role of renewables’, Energy Policy 19(2), 110–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munasinghe, M. 1999, ‘Development, equity and sustainability (DES) in the context of climate change,’ in Mohan Munasinghe and Rod Swart (eds.), Climate Change and its Linkages with Development, Equity and Sustainability, Proceedings of the IPCC Expert Meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27-29 April 1999.

  • Myles, A.S.: 1992. ‘Solar PV system design parameters for Oman: A case study’, in A.A.M. Sayigh (ed.), Renewable Energy: Technology and the Environment, Proceedings of the 2ndWorld Renewable Energy Congress, Reading, U.K. 1, pp. 250–254. Published by Pergamon Press Ltd.

  • Nakicenovic, N., Victor, N. and Morita, T.: 1998, ‘Emissions scenarios database and review of scenarios’, Miti. Adapt. Strat. Global Change 3, 95–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojosu, J.O. and Salawu, R.I.: 1990, ‘Wind energy development in Nigeria’, Nig. J. Solar Energy 9, 29–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onyebuchi, E.I.: 1989, ‘Alternative energy strategies for the developing world's domestic use: A case study of Nigerian household's final use patterns and preferences’, The Energy Journal 10(3), 121–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rave, K.: 1999, ‘Who? What? Why?Wind power and the finance industry’, Renewable Energy World 2(5), 22–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • REW 1999, ‘Wind force 10: How wind can produce 10% of world power by 2020’, Renewable Energy World 2(6), 40–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saboohi, Y.: 1989, Model for Analysis of Demand for Energy (MADE-II), Stuttgart, IKE 8-19.

  • Shell: 1996, The Evolution of the World's Energy Systems, London, UK, Shell International Ltd., Group External Affairs, 6 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefansson, V. and Fridleifsson, I.B.: 1998. ‘Geothermal energy - European and worldwide perspective’, Presented at Expert hearing on Assessment and Prospects for Geothermal Energy in Europe, Sub-Committee on Technology Policy and Energy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France, pp. 10.

  • Swisher, J., Wilson, D. and Schrattenholzer, L.: 1993, ‘Long term strategies for mitigating global warming: Renewable energy potential,’ Energy 8(5), 437–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Guardian: 2000, Govt. accepts new gas flaring proposal, The Guardian Newspaper, Wednesday, August 16, pp. 23&25, Lagos.

  • UNEP Collaborating Centre on Energy & Environment: 1994, ‘UNEP Greenhouse Gas Abatement Costing Studies', Phase Two, Appendix: Guidelines. Riso, May.

  • United Nations: 1981, Report of the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, A/CONF.100/11, New York: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNCNRSE: 1981, ‘Conference news: UNDP study foresees wider use of NRSE’, ASSET 3, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development): 1987, Our Common Future (The Brundtland Report), Oxford, Oxford University Press, p. 195.

    Google Scholar 

  • WEC: 1994, New Renewable Energy Resources: a Guide to the Future, London, World Energy Council, published by Kogan Page Ltd., 391 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Atlas: 1998, 1998 World Atlas & Industry Guide, Sutton, UK, The International Journal on Hydropower & Dams, Aqua-Media International.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank: 1983, Nigeria: Issues and Options in the Energy Sector, Report No. 4440-UNI.

  • World Bank: 1993, Nigeria: Escravos Flared Gas Reduction Project, Report No. 12178-UNI.

  • World Bank: 1993a, Nigeria: Issues and Options in the Energy Sector, Report No. 11672-UNI.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy/Environment Analysis Group, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    John-Felix K. Akinbami

Authors
  1. John-Felix K. Akinbami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Akinbami, JF.K. Renewable energy resources and technologies in Nigeria: present situation, future prospects and policy framework. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 6, 155–182 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011387516838

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011387516838

Search

Navigation