Clean Energy Alternatives, Policies, and Implementation in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Nigeria the largest economy and the most populous nation in Africa is faced with energy poverty and frequency grid collapse due to over dependence on a single source of energy (hydroelectric power). Climate change and its ecological devastation is affecting the globe, and alternative energy transition was envisaged as the most sustainable energy of the future due to its low carbon footprint. Nigeria as a nation is bless with abundant alternative energy resources. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the alternative energy sources in Nigeria, their potentials, alternative energy policy implementation and its challenges. Qualitative research approach was utilized as this study’s research methods, SALSA framework (search, appraisal, synthesis and analysis) was utilized to search, evaluate and analyze the selected literatures for this study’s analysis. This analysis underscores that Nigeria has solar, wind and biomass as the major alternative energy resources, solar alternative energy has potential of about 5250Wh/m2 with an average solar radiation of 19.8 MJ/m2/day over 6 hours. This analysis also provided that Nigeria has abundant wind alternative energy potential particularly in the North and Coastal regions of the country with an alternative energy power density of about 3.40 to 520 kilowatts per square meter. Although wind energy has been underutilized, Katsina wind farm has so far remained the only wind farm operating in the country with Gurara wind farm currently under construction. Biomass alternative energy constitute about 80% of the country’s energy resources mainly used for cooking, heating and small-scale industrial application. Forest residues, agricultural remains and municipal solid waste make up a significant portion of the country’s biomass alternative energy resources. This analysis also highlight that Nigeria has alternative energy policies e.g. the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP), National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) however, economic constraints, inconsistent policy, corruption and lack of political will, have remain a serious challenge in the policy implementation. Therefore, for Nigeria to increase its alternative energy share and achieve transition, it should examine and update policies to address present issues, expedite processes, and establish specific, attainable goals for the implementation of alternative energy policy in the country.