Renewable energy technology means of providing sustainable electricity in Nigerian rural areas: a review.

Following the failure of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and fossil fuel source applications for the provision of electricity in Nigeria, the country has been experiencing power energy shortages for over three decades now. More than 65% of the population lack commercial electricity, particularly in the rural areas. This has caused socio-economic problems involving relocation of manufacturing companies to neighbouring countries, unemployment, and endemic rural-urban migration. The research that underpins this paper aims to investigate the potential of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in the provision of sustainable electricity in Nigeria's rural areas. This has been motivated by the strategic value of RETs in identifying when and where electricity is actually required thereby eliminating/reducing the high cost of gridline network and offering a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. A systematic review method has been used to examine various RETs regarding their viability and applicability in Nigeria. The sustainability of various RETs is then evaluated using SWOT analysis to screen the technologies to be used in an energy supply mix in Nigeria's rural areas. Biomass, hydro and solar sources are appropriate for use in Nigeria rural areas. The utilisation level of RETs in Nigeria is extremely low except for hydropower source. The major problems of RETs implementation are lack of implementable energy policy, government apathy towards development of RETs and the low purchasing power of majority of citizens. Further work includes the application of whole life costing (WLC) to assess and optimise the economic performance of the identified RETs