Electricity in Nigeria in 2023/2024

Between September 2023 and August 2024, electricity generation in Nigeria has been heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than half of the electricity, approximately 24 TWh, coming from gas. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources, which include hydropower, contributed about a third of the total, at roughly 8 TWh. Currently, all of Nigeria's low-carbon electricity comes from hydropower, suggesting limited diversification within the clean energy sector. Compared to the global average of 3606 watts per person, Nigeria’s electricity consumption is substantially lower. This limited electricity generation can impede economic growth, reduce educational opportunities, restrict healthcare provision, and lower quality of life, while fossil fuel dependency may result in adverse environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Nigeria can draw lessons from countries successfully expanding their clean energy capacities. For instance, China has made substantial progress with wind and solar energy, generating 950 TWh and 653 TWh, respectively. Similarly, India's advancement in solar power, with a 125 TWh yield, demonstrates the potential for a sunny region like Nigeria to harness solar energy effectively. Brazil's strategy has brought their wind generation to 97 TWh, showcasing how wind energy can complement solar power. These examples, particularly of nations with similar developmental contexts, suggest that investing in scalable and sustainable solar, wind, and even nuclear options could provide Nigeria with a more reliable and clean electricity framework.

History

Historically, Nigeria’s journey with low-carbon electricity, specifically hydropower, has seen fluctuations over the decades. The early 1980s saw minor decreases, but an upward trend began in the late 1980s with modest increases in hydropower generation. Notable setbacks occurred in 2000 and throughout the 2000s when some significant declines were recorded, alongside recoveries like the notable 2.3 TWh surge in 2002. Following this fluctuation, improvements continued into the 2010s, with various incremental gains, peaking with improvements of 1.8 and 1.7 TWh in 2010 and 2016 respectively. These historical insights highlight the potential benefits and risks associated with reliance on hydropower and the necessity for diversifying Nigeria's clean electricity portfolio by incorporating wind, solar, and nuclear options to ensure stability and growth in the sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources