A country such as Nigeria that aspires to develop and become industrialized has to ensure that the supply of electricity within its jurisdiction is adequate, efficient, and effective. Nigeria has set itself on a journey that will see to it that it becomes industrialized by the year 2020. In order to address the present challenges, there should be a capacity building with the objective of electricity planning and establishing the actual electricity demand and determining the strategies for electricity transmission and distribution in Nigeria. There is a need to establish ground-breaking solutions that will ensure that present challenges in electricity generation in Nigeria are addressed. This research study will use case studies and literature review analysis since it will be a qualitative study. Having a grasp on how electricity generation has been handled in Nigeria will be the bedrock of this research. The research study will be conducted between November 2018 and March 2019.
Introduction
Nigeria happens to be one of the most populated countries in Africa. Its need for electricity has been on the rise. This has escalated the demand for electricity to new levels that have not been experienced before. A country such as Nigeria that aspires to develop and become industrialized has to ensure that the supply of electricity within its jurisdiction is adequate, efficient, and effective. Electricity generation does not happen in a vacuum and will also call for efficient and effective transmission and distribution all throughout the towns and cities in Nigeria. The generation of electricity in Nigeria has not caught up with the high number of Nigerians needing electricity for their own consumption and their businesses . Nigeria has 11 thermal-generating (steam or gas) and 3 hydro generating plants that feed the national grid with electricity supply, this brings to 14 the total number of electricity generating plants.
Statement of The Problem
The demand for adequate electricity has gone hand in hand with the economic growth of Nigeria. More so, Nigeria has set itself on a journey that will see to it that it becomes industrialized by the year 2020. Generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity requires the allocation of exorbitant amounts of both capacity and funds in order to realize adequate electricity supply. There is an interdependence between a country’s electricity consumption and economic growth. Due to diminishing funds allocated to electricity generation in Nigeria, the problem of power supply has been on the rise. Without adequate generation of power as a result of lack of funds, there will be inadequate generation of power, leading to ineffective transmission to various parts of Nigeria, and inefficient distribution to Nigerian consumers, which will eventually put the goal of Nigeria being industrialized by 2020 into jeopardy. Despite Nigeria being a giant producer of natural gas and oil in Africa, the country is prone to numerous electricity problems, and this has also affected technological and socio-economic development of Nigeria . With regards to the strong correlation between the generation of electricity and socio-economic development, there is a need of unravelling solutions to the present challenges. In order to address the present challenges, there should be a capacity building with the objective of electricity planning and establishing the actual electricity demand and determining the strategies for electricity transmission and distribution in Nigeria. There is a need to establish ground-breaking solutions that will ensure that present challenges in electricity generation in Nigeria are addressed.
Methodology
This research study will use case studies and literature review analysis since it will be a qualitative study. Having a grasp on how electricity generation has been handled in Nigeria will be the bedrock of this research. Through case studies and literature review analysis, information pertaining to implementing the solution to the challenges, a collaboration between the private and public stakeholders within the energy sector will be identified. The individuals tasked with alleviating these challenges ought to define Nigeria’s demand and supply of electricity. This is through determining the demand of electricity through considering technology, demography, socio-economy, energy efficiencies, and electricity intensities. The data that should be used in this case ought to be a true representation of Nigeria’s current electricity and economic situation. Nigeria’s electricity consumption will be sub-divided into specific classifications, which will make it easier to identify the precise economic, social, technologic, or political factors that are defined as the electricity demand. Additionally, determining the electricity supply in Nigeria will take advantage of the already determined electricity demand. Essentially, the demand will be applied as an input with the aim of bringing into being a supply strategy, which will take into consideration electricity conversion, consumption processes, and the environmental impacts of the established demand .
Analysis
When the challenges affecting electricity generation are resolved, then it is expected that an adequate and minimum capacity of electricity will be maintained and sustained, there will be a drastic decrease in technical losses that occur during transmission and distribution, an upsurge in the revenue collected from electrical services will be realized, a reduction in power outages during transmission and distribution will be achieved, there will be an improved customer service delivery to the Nigerian people who are the sole consumers, and ultimately, development of Nigeria to become an industrialized country.
Recommendation
By consulting peer-reviewed research journals great insights into the challenges of electricity generation in Nigeria and possible solution to this issue will be identified.
Project Plan
The research study will be conducted between November 2018 and March 2019. The schedule will be adjustable in accordance with the guidance from the supervisor and academic calendar.
1. Developing purpose and strategy – November 2018
2. Forming research questions November 2018
3. Conducting study through case studies and literature review – December 2018 to February 2019
4. Writing final report – March 2019
Risks
The possible risks that can prevent the completion of this project are time constraints, difficulties in accessing research materials, lack of guidance towards the right direction. I plan to write down a structured schedule with all detailed tasks assigned to specific time period. I also plan to locate online databases and offline libraries that have adequate material that will help in conducting literature review on this particular topic. Additionally, I plan to consult a number of supervisors and seek their valuable guidance, which is needed in the whole process of conducting a research study.
- Tagare, D. M. 2011. Electric power generation: the changing dimensions. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE Press. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=699256.
