climate change solutions for development deficits

7/29/2019 Climate Change Solutions for Development Deficits

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Climate Change Solutions for Development DeficitsSoremi Titilayo

Social Responsibility Managers, Abuja, [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Electricity demand in Nigeria exceeds supply. According to the National Control Centre of the Power HoldingCompany of Nigeria (PHCN), demand is estimated to be 10,500MW but the country at present generates 4,600MWfor its over 160million population. A recently concluded research shows that in order to close the gap oninsufficient electricity supply, Nigerians rely on alternative sources. The research was aimed at identifying thealternative power sources used in homes and micro-businesses in suburban areas of Abuja and determining theconsumption expenditure of respondents on fuel for powering generating sets. The research was conducted throughpersonal interviews aided by a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions with 124 households and 86businesses randomly selected from Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba and Zuba. The data collected were analyzed usingdescriptive tools. The results showed that electricity supply to homes and businesses ranged from 0 to 24hrs a dayand averaged 10.2hours and 11.7hours a day for homes and businesses respectively. 96.2% businesses and 88.4%homes make use of alternative power sources to bridge the supply gap. 88% of these businesses rely on petrol ordiesel-powered generating sets, 4.8% on charcoal and 2.4% on inverter. 87.5% of homes also use petrol or diesel-powered generating sets and only 1% use solar power system. Each home and business using a generating set spendsan average of $37 and $159 respectively on petrol/diesel monthly while most homes and businesses expend $65 and$130 monthly. This clearly indicates that there is an investment vista for clean energy in Nigeria targeted at bothindividuals and micro-businesses. Renewable energy solutions can be the key to achieving uninterrupted electricitysupply thus doing more than reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. Interested partners and investorsthat take up this challenge will help ensure Nigerias development is on a clean path.

IntroductionThe role of electrical power supply in national development cannot be overemphasized. Mostindividuals and families depend on this energy to make a living for themselves and theirdependants. This is because most work implements and apparatus of the 21 st century are onlyfunctional when powered with electricity. Also, home appliances that bring comfort and enablefamilies spend quality time together need electricity to perform their function. Lack of electricalpower supply can lead to irritability, family instability, loss of income and decrease in nationalGDP. This is why Nigerians have found it imperative to ensure access to electrical powerthrough alternative sources as a result of insufficient supply from the national grid. This studywas carried out to determine the amount Nigerians spend on alternative source of electricalpower in suburban areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Research Methodology

Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Zuba and Lugbe communities were selected for the purpose of theresearch. The choice of Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba is as a result of the high level of electricitysupply to the area due to just concluded World Bank assisted project on supply of prepaid meterand upgrade to high voltage transformer while Zuba and Lugbe communities with no aid or
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support represent communities with low supply of electricity. 124 households and 86 businesseswere randomly selected from these areas and they participated in personal interviews and focusgroup discussions aided by a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed usingdescriptive tools.

Results and Discussion

Length of Daily Supply of Electricity

41% of homes and 32% of businesses interviewed stated that they got only 0-4hours ofelectricity daily. This shows that for the remaining 20hours in each day, these homes andbusinesses will be without electricity. For businesses, this will mean 20hours of non-productivity. Interestingly though, we can infer that businesses are favored above homes inelectricity supply because 45% of businesses get minimum of 15hours a day while only 35% ofhomes enjoy same length of supply.

Alternative Sources of Electrical Power Used by Homes and Businesses

An equivalent majority of homes and businesses (88%) rely on petrol/diesel powered generatorsfor supply of electrical power. It should be noted that this alternative source does not benefit theenvironment better than the supply from the power stations which employs gas and diesel togenerate energy for the national grid. In addition to release of CO2 into the atmosphere, otherassociated risks with use of generators are noise pollution, fire and buiding discolouration. The12% of homes and 5% of businesses that do not use any alternative source may be doing so foreconomic reasons and not necessarily for the purpose of reducing their carbon footprint. 2% ofbusinesses who use inverters still depend on electrical power from the national grid to charge


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their batteries and cannot be said to be a clean alternative and 5% who rely on charcoal alsorelease CO2 into the atmosphere in the process of burning it. None of the businesses interviewedmake use of renewable energy source as an alternative but 1% of homes use solar energy. Thereason for this limited use of renewable energy sources may be attributed to its inaccessibilitywithin the country as the benefits far outweighs the options currently employed.

Monthly Consumption Expenditure on Fuel for Powering Generating Sets

The generating sets used by 88% of homes and businesses require regular fueling with eitherpetrol or diesel in order to power the appliances and equipments used in their premises. Theyexpend between $0 and $500 on a monthly basis. In a country where the minimum wage is $116,89% of homes and 72% of businesses have to commit $100 or less from their income to fueltheir generating sets. This amount is in addition to the capital that had been expended inpurchasing the generating sets. Businesses expend more money on buying fuel monthly as thegraph shows 0% of homes spend above $200 as against 14% of businesses. This can beexplained with the assumption that businesses consume more energy in the production of goodsand services than homes do in the bid to achieve comfort.


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Conclusion

Supply of electricity from the national grid is evidently not satisfactory to residents and there is aclear indication of willing monetary commitment to generate electricity from alternative sourcesand not a laid back attitude to living without electricity. The consumption expenditure for fuelfor powering generating sets can be said to represent the market size for renewable energysolutions with competitive prices. The availability and accessibility of renewable energy

solutions will go a long way free Nigerians from the hazards associated with use of petrol/dieselpowered generators to enjoy the immense benefits of clean energy.

climate change solutions for development deficits

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