RENEWABLE ENERGY UTILIZATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Provision of clean sustainable energy plays a vital role in socio-economic development of country and citizens.  Renewable energy (RE) resources present an excellent means of achieving clean and sustainable energy for domestic, industrial, commercial and other public uses when optimally harnessed. With a relatively high potential for renewable energy such as solar, biomass and small hydropower, Nigeria is positioned to be in forefront in clean and sustainable energy provision. This could influence socio-economic development and livelihood of citizens. Among prominent RE resources with high potentials in Nigeria, only solar energy is given a significant prominence while biomass for instance, is mostly used in crude form leading to indoor pollution and desertification.  A number of policies and plans have been put in place including the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy 2015, National Development Plan 2021–2025, and Electricity Act 2023, to improve lives of the population via provision of affordable and sustainable energy.  However, lack of implementation strategies and poor renewable energy infrastructure have hampered the utilization of Renewable Energy.  This paper discusses renewable energy utilization via various technological innovations, and its potentials contribution to Nigeria’s energy mix with focus on analysis of 1kW solar capacity. The analysis shows the feasibility and viability of solar as a renewable energy with significant potentials contribution to energy security and environmental sustainability. This paper equally examines the influences of environment on RE utilization using PESTELS. Political will is observed a major influence on RE utilization towards improved socio-economic development in Nigeria