In light of recent power challenges experienced by Nigeria and Africa, Griot Studios’ upcoming documentary, “Up-NEPA,” slated for release in May 2024, underscores renewable energy as a pivotal solution to Nigeria’s power woes.
The 2023 Electricity Act has underscored the importance of employing renewable energy nationwide, especially in areas with limited access to electricity. Through interviews featured in the “Up-NEPA” documentary, Nigerians, consumers, and electricity stakeholders have shed light on the systemic issues within the power sector, which have contributed to the country’s current technical and financial predicaments.
Amidst these challenges, the sector has an opportunity to swiftly expand renewable energy adoption, notably solar energy, which has seen increased acceptance nationwide. With the enactment of the 2023 Electricity Act, states are now empowered to harness, transmit, and distribute electricity from renewable sources.
Solar energy is the most viable and cost-effective means of electrifying impoverished and remote communities. Small-scale solar home systems offer an efficient and affordable avenue for illuminating households in rural areas.
These systems typically comprise a modest solar panel, a battery, a charge controller, LED lights, and a universal outlet for charging small appliances or cell phones. Renewable energy is increasingly significant, given escalating fuel prices and global environmental concerns.
It is a pathway out of energy inadequacy, a critical impediment to development. In rural and remote locales, on-grid electricity access often proves economically unfeasible, leading to reliance on kerosene oil and candles for lighting.
However, indoor use of candles generates pollution and poses health risks, particularly to children and adults. Such rudimentary lighting solutions exacerbate indoor pollution and contribute to chronic respiratory issues.
In rural communities, limited access to electricity confines students to daytime study hours, hindering academic performance. Enhanced access to electricity during the evening hours could potentially bolster educational outcomes.
Rural electrification plays a pivotal role in uplifting the socio-economic status of rural populations. Access to clean energy can extend production hours, positively impacting health, education, and overall well-being.
Empirical evidence underscores the correlation between per capita energy consumption and the human development index. Wood fuels, commonly used for cooking, lighting, and heating in rural areas, emit CO2 and exacerbate indoor pollution.
Solar lighting represents a cleaner alternative conducive to fostering education by extending study hours for children in remote areas. In the long run, solar energy is the most pragmatic and cost-effective means of electrifying impoverished and remote communities.
Also, small-scale distributed solar home generation systems (SHS) are sustainable solutions to energy challenges. These systems can be deployed virtually anywhere with sunlight and provide electricity for various household needs, including lighting, entertainment, communication, and cooking.
Effective battery storage facilitates the utilization of solar energy at night. While some companies are already implementing such solutions in rural areas, there remains a pressing need for further interventions to address the pervasive issue of energy poverty on a global scale.