Sustainable Energy Development In Nigeria: Present And The Future- A Review
Edeh, Ifeanyichukwu
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Okpo, Samson Onoriode
Department of Chemical Engineering, Southern Delta University, Ozoro
Keywords: Biomass, Energy access, Geothermal energy, Nigeria, Renewable energy, Solar energy, Sustainable energy
Abstract
Nigeria has large reserves of renewable energy yet it still experiences chronic energy poverty, poor infrastructure and over reliance on fossil fuels. Although the country is determined to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, the unit consumption of electricity is among the lowest in the world, and most of the citizens continue to have no dependable access to electricity. This review critically analyses the prevailing energy situation, the technical potential of renewable resources, and the systemic issues of fragile institutional frameworks, patchy policies, inadequate financing and gaps in technological capacity that limit the pace of improvement. It also analyses national policy tools like the Renewable Energy Master Plan, Vision 2030 and the Energy Transition Plan and government, the private sector, donors and community-based initiatives. Other technological advances described in the paper as key facilitators of sustainable energy access include off-grid mini-grids, smart grids, and advanced storage systems. It concludes that to deliver the energy and climate targets in Nigeria, a coordinated governance architecture, mixed financing system, investment in human capacity, and extensive stakeholder participation is needed.