Climate Change Solutions for Development Deficits

Soremi Titilayo Social Responsibility Managers, Abuja, Nigeria Titi.obisesan@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Electricity demand in Nigeria exceeds supply. According to the National Control Centre of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), demand is estimated to be 10,500MW but the country at present generates 4,600MW for its over 160million population. A recently concluded research shows that in order to close the gap on insufficient electricity supply, Nigerians rely on alternative sources. The research was aimed at identifying the alternative power sources used in homes and micro-businesses in suburban areas of Abuja and determining the consumption expenditure of respondents on fuel for powering generating sets. The research was conducted through personal interviews aided by a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions with 124 households and 86 businesses randomly selected from Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba and Zuba. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive tools. The results showed that electricity supply to homes and businesses ranged from 0 to 24hrs a day and 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 or diesel-powered generating sets, 4.8% on charcoal and 2.4% on inverter. 87.5% of homes also use petrol or dieselpowered generating sets and only 1% use solar power system. Each home and business using a generating set spends an 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 both individuals and micro-businesses. Renewable energy solutions can be the key to achieving uninterrupted electricity supply thus doing more than reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. Interested partners and investors that take up this challenge will help ensure Nigerias development is on a clean path.

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

Research Methodology Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Zuba and Lugbe communities were selected for the purpose of the research. The choice of Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba is as a result of the high level of electricity supply to the area due to just concluded World Bank assisted project on supply of prepaid meter and upgrade to high voltage transformer while Zuba and Lugbe communities with no aid or

support represent communities with low supply of electricity. 124 households and 86 businesses were randomly selected from these areas and they participated in personal interviews and focus group discussions aided by a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive 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 of electricity daily. This shows that for the remaining 20hours in each day, these homes and businesses will be without electricity. For businesses, this will mean 20hours of nonproductivity. Interestingly though, we can infer that businesses are favored above homes in electricity supply because 45% of businesses get minimum of 15hours a day while only 35% of homes 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 generators for supply of electrical power. It should be noted that this alternative source does not benefit the environment better than the supply from the power stations which employs gas and diesel to generate energy for the national grid. In addition to release of CO2 into the atmosphere, other associated risks with use of generators are noise pollution, fire and buiding discolouration. The 12% of homes and 5% of businesses that do not use any alternative source may be doing so for economic reasons and not necessarily for the purpose of reducing their carbon footprint. 2% of businesses who use inverters still depend on electrical power from the national grid to charge

their batteries and cannot be said to be a clean alternative and 5% who rely on charcoal also release CO2 into the atmosphere in the process of burning it. None of the businesses interviewed make use of renewable energy source as an alternative but 1% of homes use solar energy. The reason for this limited use of renewable energy sources may be attributed to its inaccessibility within 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 either petrol or diesel in order to power the appliances and equipments used in their premises. They expend 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 fuel their generating sets. This amount is in addition to the capital that had been expended in purchasing the generating sets. Businesses expend more money on buying fuel monthly as the graph shows 0% of homes spend above $200 as against 14% of businesses. This can be explained with the assumption that businesses consume more energy in the production of goods and services than homes do in the bid to achieve comfort.

Conclusion Supply of electricity from the national grid is evidently not satisfactory to residents and there is a clear indication of willing monetary commitment to generate electricity from alternative sources and not a laid back attitude to living without electricity. The consumption expenditure for fuel for powering generating sets can be said to represent the market size for renewable energy solutions 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/diesel powered generators to enjoy the immense benefits of clean energy.