Sustainable energy in Nigeria: An assessment of solar utilization in Ibadan

Abstract

Electricity is a major driving force of an economy. Mostly, its generation in developing countries is from hydro sources, oil and gas as well as firewood/charcoal. As a maritime and an oil and gas economy, Nigeria generates its energy from hydro, oil and gas. Concerns about depletion, environment and effectiveness of distributing produced energy are shifting concerns to other natural sources especially solar energy. The paper evaluates the consumption pattern and attitude of Nigerians towards solar energy utilization. The study area, Ibadan, was a largest African City up till the 1960s and has a population of about 750,000 presently. Two (2) of its five (5) Local Government Areas of administration are studied. Using a questionnaire, a total of 240 households were sampled with respect to (i) the status of electricity supply in the area presently; (ii) the level of satisfaction with supply, (iii) the alternatives in use (iv) the level of solar energy awareness and adoption (iv) the existing solar powered facilities, and; (iv) the challenges towards adopting the more sustainable solar option. The findings reveal that: about 60% of the residents in the region receive less than 4hrs of electricity energy supply daily from the regulatory Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in the country, this is absurd to the residents, fuelwood consumption is the main alternative, the level of solar energy awareness is high, and, its utilization is only limited to traffic lights on 3 main roads, ATM machines and few water pumps in 2 new residential estates. The challenges towards enhanced adoption of the source of energy and the implication for development are discussed.