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Nigerian energy supply crisis

Typical diesel generator widely used in Nigeria due to lack of supply from the grid.

The Nigerian energy supply crisis refers to the ongoing failure of the Nigerian power sector to provide adequate electricity supply to domestic households and industrial producers despite a rapidly growing economy, some of the world's largest deposits of coal, oil, and gas and the country's status as Africa's largest oil producer. Currently, only 45% of Nigeria's population is connected to the energy grid whilst power supply difficulties are experienced around 85% of the time and almost nonexistent in certain regions.[1] At best, average daily power supply is estimated at four hours,[2] although several days can go by without any power at all. Neither power cuts nor restorations are announced, leading to calls for a load shedding schedule during the COVID-19 lockdowns to aid fair distribution and predictability.[3][4]

Power supply difficulties cripple the agricultural, industrial, and mining sectors[1][5] and impede Nigeria's ongoing economic development. The energy supply crisis is complex, stems from a variety of issues, and has been ongoing for decades. Most Nigerian businesses and households that can afford to do so run one or more diesel-fueled generators to supplement the intermittent supply.

Since 2005, Nigerian power reforms have focused on privatizing the generator and distribution assets and encouraging private investment in the power sector. The government continues to control transmission assets whilst making "modest progress" in creating a regulatory environment attractive to foreign investors.[6] Minor increases in average daily power supply have been reported.

  1. ^ a b Aliyu, A., Ramli, A., Saleh, M. (2013). Nigeria electricity crisis: Power generation capacity expansion and environmental ramifications. Energy, 61(8), 354-367. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2013.09.011
  2. ^ PwC's Annual Power and Utilities Roundtable: The challenges with transforming the Nigerian power landscape (PDF) (Report). PWC. 2016. p. 4.
  3. ^ Oguguo, I. (8 April 2020). "'When They Bring Light' Policy". thecable.ng. The Cable. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ Oguguo, I. (May 2020). "Nigeria's Electricity Providers And COVID Uncertainties". Issuu.com. THISDAY. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  5. ^ Kaseke, N., Hosking, S. (2013). Sub-Saharan Africa Electricity Supply Inadequacy: Implications. Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review 29(2), 113-132. Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from Project MUSE database.
  6. ^ Ogunleye, Eric Kehinde (2017). "Political Economy of Nigerian Power Sector Reform". The Political Economy of Clean Energy Transitions. Oxford Scholarship Online. ISBN 9780198802242.

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