Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Nuclear Energy (Small Modular Reactors) Scalability and Deployment Flexibility for Sustainable Electricity Supply in Northern Nigeria A TOPSIS-Based Approach

Abstract: Northern Nigeria faces acute electricity challenges due to weak grid infrastructure, transmission losses, water scarcity, and rising energy demand from population growth and industrialization. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, though abundant, are intermittent and insufficient to meet baseload requirements. In this context, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have emerged as a promising solution due to their modularity, safety features, scalability, and compatibility with hybrid energy systems. This study applied the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method, to evaluate and rank four SMR technologies Light Water Reactor SMR (LWR-SMR), High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor SMR (HTGR-SMR), Molten Salt Reactor SMR (MSR-SMR), and Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor SMR (SFR-SMR). Fourteen decision criteria were developed based on Nigeria’s energy context, the results showed that LWR-SMR ranked highest (closeness coefficient = 0.5693), owing to its high technology readiness, proven commercial deployment, and financing maturity. HTGR-SMR ranked second (0.5575), excelling in water efficiency and renewable integration, which are vital in Northern Nigeria’s arid climate. In contrast, SFR-SMR (0.4097) and MSR-SMR (0.3598) ranked lower due to technological immaturity, higher complexity, and limited financing pathways. The study concludes that LWR-SMR and HTGR-SMR are the most suitable options for first-phase deployment in Northern Nigeria, while advanced designs such as MSR and SFR may be considered in the long term as technology and regulatory capacity evolve. Keywords: Energy Security, Intermittent, Insufficient, Northern Nigeria, Nuclear Power, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), TOPSIS. Title: Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Nuclear Energy (Small Modular Reactors) Scalability and Deployment Flexibility for Sustainable Electricity Supply in Northern Nigeria A TOPSIS-Based Approach Author: A Kabir, A O Musa International Journal of Novel Research in Physics Chemistry & Mathematics ISSN 2394-9651 Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2026 - April 2026 Page No: 19-27 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 16-March-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19054795 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Multi-Criteria%20Evaluation%20of%20Nuclear%20Energy-16032026-4.pdf