Residential Energy Demand in Nigeria 2024

Introduction

The 2024 Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey provides detailed insights into the energy consumption patterns of households across nine states in Nigeria. The findings reveal significant reliance on traditional energy sources, a growing interest in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and early signs of adoption of solar home systems. This article will explore these findings and discuss their implications for energy policy and household well-being in Nigeria.

Highlights of Energy Sources and Usage

The survey highlights the types of energy households use, how they acquire it, and their expenditures. Key findings include:

• Fuelwood: 40.7% of households reported purchasing fuelwood, and 39.0% collected it themselves. This reliance is higher in rural areas, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable forestry practices to combat deforestation and environmental degradation.
• Charcoal: Around 22% of households used charcoal, while only a small fraction (0.3%) produced it themselves. Despite its wide use, charcoal production can lead to significant environmental harm.
• LPG Usage: Only 19.4% of households used LPG, showing a gradual shift towards cleaner cooking energy. However, accessibility and affordability remain challenges, as reflected in the average monthly LPG expenditure of ₦10,239.70.
• Electricity: 58.2% of households are connected to the national electricity grid, with most of them using an estimated billing system. Furthermore, only 4.8% of households have adopted solar electricity, highlighting the potential for greater investment in renewable energy solutions.

Sector-Specific Energy Consumption

• Fuelwood Acquisition: States like Sokoto (71.2%) and Bauchi (65.4%) had the highest fuelwood purchase and collection rates. This heavy dependence on fuelwood is causing deforestation, raising the need for government interventions focused on renewable alternatives.
• Charcoal Production and Usage: Kwara State reported the highest usage of charcoal, with 47.4% of households relying on it. The usage patterns underline the importance of developing alternatives, such as LPG or improved cooking stoves, to reduce charcoal dependency.
• Electricity Access: Electricity access is significantly higher in southern states compared to northern ones. States like Ekiti (79.7%) and Oyo (77.3%) have higher connection rates to the national grid, whereas Sokoto lags behind at only 23.1%.

Visualizing Energy Patterns

Policy Recommendations

• Promote Cleaner Alternatives: The heavy reliance on fuelwood and charcoal is unsustainable. The government should encourage the use of LPG and support the establishment of more LPG stations, particularly in rural areas.
• Decentralize Electricity Generation: Access to electricity can be expanded by promoting mini-grids, particularly in underserved northern areas. Decentralizing power generation can alleviate pressure on the national grid and improve rural electrification.
• Improve Solar Access: Despite the low adoption rate, solar power presents a significant opportunity for energy diversification. Policies that subsidize solar installations could encourage households to transition away from diesel generators.
• Support Tree Replanting Programs: Given the large-scale fuelwood usage, sustainable forestry initiatives must be implemented to promote the replanting of trees and reduce the environmental impact.

Conclusion

The 2024 survey highlights the gaps in energy access and usage across Nigerian households. The reliance on traditional energy sources poses challenges both to the environment and public health. However, opportunities for progress lie in the adoption of clean energy solutions, infrastructure investments, and targeted policy interventions to boost renewable energy adoption and efficient energy use.