- Lagos State’s solar photovoltaic (PV) initiative aims to reduce heavy reliance on gensets, cutting emissions and lowering energy costs.
Nigeria aims to achieve universal energy access by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060. Diesel and petrol generator sets, or gensets, block this progress, producing 70% of the power sector’s emissions. However, the lack of data on genset capacity and usage makes it difficult to design effective policies. To shift from gensets to cleaner energy, Nigeria must gather accurate data.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic hub, serves as the focus of a pilot study on genset usage. Lagos generates 27% of Nigeria’s GDP but has severe energy shortages. The national grid meets only about 20% of the city’s electricity demand, forcing businesses and households to rely on gensets. The recent removal of fuel subsidies has also increased consumer costs dependent on gensets.
Lagos is an ideal location for the study due to its high energy demand and strong interest in renewable energy. The Lagos State Government plans to roll out a distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) program to reduce genset usage, positioning it as a prime candidate for targeted energy interventions.
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) conducted the study using primary and secondary data collection methods. The survey spanned all 20 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos, focusing on household characteristics, genset ownership, grid access, and interest in solar alternatives. SEforALL also reviewed prior reports on the commercial sector and market dynamics.
SEforALL used stratified cluster sampling to gather accurate data, targeting 6,000 households across the 20 LGAs. Clusters were selected based on population size, with areas like Agege contributing proportionally to their household count. Surveyors applied a “random walk” approach, moving door-to-door within each ward to capture a broad set of responses.
Survey data revealed the widespread use of gensets in Lagos. Households and businesses, facing unreliable electricity supply, frequently turn to gensets for power. Genset capacities varied, ranging from small generators for households to larger ones for businesses. By calculating the most common genset sizes, SEforALL estimated total genset capacity, fuel consumption, and emissions across the state.
The study’s findings highlighted the heavy financial and environmental toll of genset reliance. Gensets increase household expenses and contribute significantly to air pollution and carbon emissions. With gensets driving up fossil fuel usage, switching to cleaner energy alternatives becomes urgent.
The Lagos State Government’s solar PV program presents a clear opportunity to ease the genset burden. Many respondents showed interest in adopting solar systems, particularly with available financing options. Offering accessible financing for solar solutions would lower users’ costs and encourage a shift toward renewable energy.
Lagos provides valuable insights into Nigeria’s energy transition. The findings can guide national strategies to replace gensets with cleaner options. By adopting solar PV systems, Nigeria can make significant progress toward universal energy access and emissions reduction, bringing the country closer to its sustainability goals.