Rural Electrification and the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Nigeria: Lessons from Kenya

Abstract

Recent technology advancements have brought to the fore the role renewable energy can play in providing timely access to clean and affordable energy in the rural areas. Although rural electrification programme in Nigeria aims at harnessing renewable energy resources for improved electricity access, the contribution of renewable energy has remained marginal till date. The aim of this paper is to identify barriers to the uptake of renewable energy for improved access to electricity in the rural areas. The paper finds that inadequate funding of rural electrification programme, high initial costs of renewable energy technology, absence of community participation coupled with the absence of a body with specific mandate to promote the use of renewable energy for rural electrification are major barriers to the rural application of renewable energy. Failure of Nigeria to address the issues will have implications for electricity access in the rural areas.