Advancing Renewable Energy: The Potential of Concentrated Solar Power in Nigeria

Abstract This paper presents an assessment of the potential for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in Nigeria under direct normal insolation (DNI). Using GIS analysis, potentially suitable sites were identified based on a set of criteria including solar resource, land use profile, proximity to transmission lines, land and water availability. With a minimum DNI > 4kWh/m2/d, the sites with the highest CSP potential are located in the north-western and north-eastern states, with a total available land area of 8,840 km². Based on a parabolic trough CSP plant (without storage) and a land use efficiency of 28 km²/GW, the power generation potential is estimated to be 316 GW nominal capacity. The potential power generation is much higher, particularly for CSP technologies that are off-grid or have minimal water requirements. Such as CSP tower systems and parabolic dishes, as many other potential areas were excluded due to grid access and water availability constraints. This study demonstrates the significant opportunities for CSP deployment and technologies.