Off-Grid Renewable Energy Solutions for Agro-Rural Community Development in Nigeria

Nigeria fondly regarded as the ‘Giant of Africa′ is the most populous country in Africa and the largest economy on the continent. However, despite the abundance of renewable energy sources, Nigeria has been identified as one of the countries with the largest energy access deficit in the world. This study therefore sought to elucidate various off-grid renewable energy opportunities that could be harnessed to engender rural electrification. The study adopted an exploratory research methodology to identify tenable off-grid renewable energy solutions that could address the prevailing energy deficit in Nigerian agro-rural communities. This study found that off-grid renewable energy solutions such as solar, biomass, hydro and wind technologies are cost-effective alternative energy sources with immense potential to enhance agro-rural community development in Nigeria significantly.