Comparative Analysis of Solar, Wind, Geothermal and Nuclear Energies in Solving Nigeria’s Perennial Problem of Inefficient Electric Power Supply

Report from World Bank quoted that about 43 per cent of Nigeria’s population of more than 200 million people continues to lack access to grid electricity due to gas supply shortages, grid constraints, water shortages, poor equipment maintenance, unskilled personnel, among others. Businesses in the country reportedly lose about USD 29 billion annually as a result of unreliable electricity supply. The national power grid is in a state of disrepair. Although Nigeria’s generation capacity is at around 13,000 MW (mostly from thermal and hydropower sources), the national grid is only able to wheel about 4,000MW or less to consumers. By the end of July 2022, the grid has experienced its seventh system collapse for the year. In addition, due to insufficient generation and grid constraints, the majority of households and businesses generate their own electricity with diesel/ petrol generators. The combined capacity of small gasoline generators in Nigeria has been estimated to be 42,000 MW.