Rural Electrification: Off-grid experience in the Niger Delta

21 PAGES (4445 WORDS) Environmental Law Paper
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The data for rural electrification projects, on-grid connectivity, population and others, was collected from the relevant papers and websites. The data was analysed graphically or statistically and the findings were discussed.


The Niger Delta states have more generating, transmission and distribution facilities than in most other parts of Nigeria but these facilities are disproportionally distributed. Edo and Delta states have good electricity access, while Cross River and Bayelsa have the least. Rivers state had the most persons without access to electricity.


Wind energy and solar energy are unreliable ways of generating electricity commercially to rural dwellers in the Niger Delta. The average wind speed is less than the required 5.36m/s, while solar irradiance is very low. The technologies needed to generate electricity from biomass are not available. The most cost-effective methods of electricity generation include: using turbine powered by gas, while stand-alone solar-diesel hybrid may be used for remote locations.


Bayelsa state has continued to attract less rural electrification projects probably due to its inaccessibility (difficult terrains, etc.) and indigent rural dwellers, who cannot pay for the extra charges to get electricity there. In addition, states with the lowest access to electricity tend to field the fewest candidates for university education.


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