Repositioning renewable energy for rural electrification in a fossil fuel-rich economy

Abstract

How has being a fossil fuel-rich country affected the large scale adoption of renewable energy and its associate technologies for rural electrification and development projects in Nigeria? This is one of the most prevalent questions of significant interest to energy experts and observers in Nigeria. Discerning the factors at play it is believed, could help soothe the troubling energy dichotomy of having an abundance of energy sources and being one of the least served with electricity in the world. This qualitative phenomenological study explored across a spectrum of selected energy bureaucrats within some federal government agencies, the seemingly lack of interest in the utilization of the abundant renewable energy sources for rural electrification projects in Nigeria and the influence if any, fossil fuel has had on the use of these energy sources for rural electrification. Following a qualitative research methodology, data on specific issues affecting the uptake of renewable energy technologies in rural electrification in Nigeria was collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews. It was found that for renewable energy to be entrenched in the rural electrification sector in Nigeria, it needed a high level of legitimacy. As found by the study, this required conscious government participation, increased awareness, serious advocacy, improved bureaucratic involvement, and efforts to overcome liabilities of newness of the concept of renewable energy powered rural electrification.