Challenges of sustaining off-grid power generation in Nigeria rural communities

Abstract

The erratic supply of power by Power Holding Company of Nigeria has not only forced the urban dwellers that are presumed to have more access to the electricity than their rural counterpart to the similar fate of the rural dwellers. This made some state governments to take shot in off-grid option with the assistance of the international community such as World Bank to provide electricity for remote areas where grid extensions were difficult to reach. Nigeria was not lucky like other nations in this adventure as monumental failure were being recorded than the success from the technology. The problems range from lack of planning, technology gap and operational challenges which are fundamental bases for the abandonment of many of off-grid power projects in Nigeria. This paper elucidates with clarity the remedies to these challenges such as proper planning before commencement of off-grid installation, government participation among others. It is belief that better result is ahead if the recommendations are considered by stakeholders of electricity in Nigeria.

Keywords: Off-grid technology, rural electrification agency, grid connection, rural communities.