PROSPECT OF WIND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

SUPPLY IN NIGERIA
Aronimo A.S.

Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos

Nigeria

[email protected] , 08181258366

Abstract

The danger inherent in traditional energy production from fossil fuel and the inability to produce
adequate energy for the growing population to enhanced rapid industrialization has called for an
alternative energy resource which will be devoid of gas pollution and accelerated global
warming. In this paper, the researcher has x-rayed the global initiatives on wind energy,
prospective of the Nigeria nation in wind energy development, Nigeria present status and
Hindrances to development. Findings shown that there exist great prospects for wind energy in
the country as revealed by various analysts that mean wind speed ranges in the north and south
lies between 4.0−7.5m/s and 3.0−3.5m/s respectively at 10m above the ground, which is above
3m/s as the minimum for energy production by wind turbine. With these wind regimes, it can be
concluded that there is a far-reaching prospect within the country for power generation through
wind, with government, private and individual participations

Keywords: Prospect, Wind energy, Alternative

1. Introduction

Alternative energy is that form of energy obtained from sources that are essentially
inexhaustible, unlimited and rapidly replenished or naturally renewable such as wind, water, sun,
wave, refuse, bio-fuels etc. Nigeria is endowed with sufficient alternative energy resources to
meet its current and future development requirement as well as complement its present oil-
dependent economy (Akuru and Okoro,2010).
Nigeria, as a sub-Saharan nation, also has abundance of wind because of its landscape, the
mountainous region of the North and the offshore areas in the south have been identified as good
sites for wind harvest (Dalero and Musa, 2018).

However, in Nigeria today, the bulk of energy sources are from non-renewable sources, namely
petroleum, coal, and gas. This has caused a lot of environmental problems leading to ecosystem
degradation. Burning of fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide from our power generating stations,
cars, and trucks, pollutes the environment and contributes, in no small measure, to global
warming. Sulfur dioxide is also produced from burning of these fossil fuels, and this causes acid
rain which greatly affects the soil and vegetation.

Today the consumer’s need for energy is increasing throughout the globe because of population
growth and industrialization. By 2035, high percentage of energy consumption will be produced
by alternative sources in some developed countries (Fumo,N; Bortone,V and Zambrano,J,2013).
Energy production by traditional methods has a problem of more gas emission and accelerated
global warming.

Hence, in the subsequent section, this paper hopes to x-ray few global initiatives in wind power
energy, prospective of the Nigeria nation in wind energy development, Nigeria present status and
Hindrances to development.

2. Methodology

2.1 Global Initiatives on Wind Power Development

The continued growth and expansion of the wind power industry in the face of a global
depression and financial predicament is a testament to the inherent attractiveness of the
technology. Overall, the wind industry finished up 2016 in good shape, with solid prospects for
2017 and beyond (GWEC, 2017). Regardless of some uncertainties in the market due to the US
election results in November 2016, the market enjoyed the longest period of policy stability ever
in the critical US market (Global Wind energy Council, 2017).

Europe installed 12.5 GW of gross additional wind capacity in 2016. This was 3% less than the
new installations in 2015. With a total installed capacity of 153.7 GW, wind energy now
overtakes coal as the second largest form of power generation capacity in Europe (Ivan Pineda &
Tardieu, 2017).

According to Pineda and Tardieu (2017), 12.5 GW of new wind power capacity was installed
and grid connected in the EU during 2016, a decrease of 3% compared to 2015 annual
installations. 10,923 MW were installed onshore, and 1,567 MW were installed offshore. Wind
power installed more than any other form of power generation in Europe in 2016. Wind power
accounted for 51% of total power capacity installations.

Wind power additions continued at a rapid pace in 2016, with 8,203 MW of new capacity added
in the United States and $13.0 billion invested. Supported by favourable tax policy and other
drivers, cumulative wind power capacity grew by 11%, bringing the total to 82,143 MW (Wiser
et al., 2016). According to Wiser, et al, (2016), wind power represented the third-largest source
of U.S. electric-generating capacity additions in 2016, behind solar and natural gas. Wind power
constituted 27% of all capacity additions in 2016.

China, the driver of global market growth for most of the last decade, installed 19.7 GW in 2017,
more than twice as much as any other market, even though it represents a decrease of 2016’s
23GW. India had a record year, breaking the 4GW barrier for the first time in 2017 (GWEC,
2018). Europe installed 16.8 GW (15.6 GW in the EU) of gross additional wind power capacity
in 2017, marking a record year on annual installations. With a total net installed capacity of
168.7 GW, wind energy remains the second largest form of power generation capacity in Europe,
closely approaching gas installations (Pineda et al., 2018).

The U.S. wind industry installed 357 MW of wind capacity during the second quarter of 2017,
bringing total installed capacity in the year to 2,357 MW (AWEA, 2017). As of the second
quarter of 2017, AWEA (2017) stated that there were 14,004 MW under construction and 11,815
MW in advanced development, giving a combined 25,819 MW of wind capacity.

2.2 Prospect of the Nigeria Nation in Wind Energy Development

With respect to prospect of wind energy development in Nigeria, several preliminary studies
have been conducted during the last few years. Various initiatives by governments and
researchers were carried out, and it was found that Nigeria is blessed with enormous
opportunities for harnessing wind for various applications.

Ogbonnaya et al., (2007), investigated wind energy prospect in Nigeria, by using four years wind
data collated from seven different states in ( Enugu, Jos , Ikeja, Abuja, Warri, Sokoto and
Calaber). The annual wind speed at 10m above the ground varied from 2.3 to 3.4m/s for sites
along the coastal areas and 3.0-3.9m/s for high land areas and semi- arid regions

Ajayi, (2008) opined that the far northern states, the mountainous regions and different places in
the central and south-eastern states and also the offshore areas were identified as good areas for
wind energy production.

According to latest report from Nigerian Metrological Department (NIMET), based on the result
of 40 years (1968-2007) available average of wind data from 44 stations in Nigeria, it was
observed that the wind speed within the north varies between the range of 4-7.5 m/s, while that
of southern part has moderate wind speed within the range of 3.0- 3.5 m/s at 10 m height.

Oyedepo et al., (2012) investigated the wind speed and energy potential in three selected
locations in the southeastern part of Nigeria and observed that the annual mean wind speed at a
height of 10m for Enugu, Owerri and Onitsha are 5.42, 3.36 and 3.59m/s, respectively, while the
annual mean power densities are 96.98, 23.23 and 28.34 W/m 2, respectively. The annual values
of the wind speed carrying maximum energy for these locations are respectively 6.48, 4.33 and
3.90 m/s.

(Nze-Esiaga & Okogbue, (2014) carried out a study of five different stations in the southwest
and revealed that the wind speed measured at a height of 10 m ranged from 1.3 to 13.2m/s while
the modal wind speed ranges from 3.0 to 5.9 m/s. 83.6% of the data were found to be greater
than 3.0 m/s. The average monthly wind speed ranged from 2.72 to 7.72 m/s. Nze-Esiaga &
Okogbue, (2014) further revealed that seasonally, average wind speeds ranged between 3.47 to
6.55 m/s for dry (October to March) and 3.83 to 6.94 m/s for wet (April to September). The
annual mean power densities for the five cities of Abeokuta, Akure, Ibadan, Ikeja and Oshogbo
were 65.09, 145.07, 176.96, 387.07 and 87.34W/m2 respectively.
Okoro, et al., (2015) examined the prospects of wind energy in Nigeria using 4 years of wind
data from seven cities (Enugu, Jos, Ikeja, Abuja, Warri, Sokoto and Calabar). The annual wind
speed at 10 m above the ground varied from 2.3 to 3.4 m/s for sites along the coastal areas and
3.0 − 3.9 m/s for high land areas and semi-arid regions. It was also observed that monthly
average wind power was 50.1 W/m2 and Sokoto is capable of a power prospect as high as 97
MWh/yr.

Tab. 1 shows data of wind energy resources mapping for ten (10) sites in Nigeria collected from
on ground measurement carried out between May 2004 and May 2005 by Lahmeyer
International (Agbetuyi et al., 2012). It can be observed from the table that the sites are
prospective wind farm areas. This is because most wind turbines start generating electricity at
wind speeds of around 3-4 meters per second (m/s) (The British Wind Energy Association,
2005).

Table 1: Ranking of Wind Speed at various Measurement Stations

Site ID Site Name Measured Mean Wind Speed at 30m Height (m/s)

Sok 01 Sokoto/Badaga 5.4

Jos 01 Jos Airport/ Kassa 5.2 5.2
Gem 01 Gembu/Mambila Plateau 5.0
Pan 01 South Part of Jos Plateau/ 5.0
Pankshin Hotel
Kan 01 kano/ Funtua 4.9
Mai 01 Maiduguri/ Mainok 4.7
Lag 01 Lagos/ Lekki Beach 4.7
Enu 01 Enugu/Ninth mile corner 4.6
Gum 01 Gumel/ Garki 4.1
Ibi 01 Ibi metrological station 3.6

Source: Lahmeyer International Consultants (2005) as a stated by Agbetuyi et al (2012)

Table 2 shows the wind energy density estimate at 25m height. It can also be seen from the table
that Sokoto and Jos have the annual wind energy from wind turbine (kWh) of 97,035.94 and
94,559.98 respectively (Mutlu, 2010). Based on wind speeds, it was recommended that these
prospetive wind farm areas should be connected to the grid at distribution level. Generally, wind
speed in the southern and northern Nigeria ranges from 1.4 to 3.0 m/s and 4.0 to 5.12 m/s
respectively.

Table 2 : Wind Energy Density Estimates at 25m Height

S/N Station Mean Wind Monthly Mean Annual Wind Annual Wind Energy from a Wind
Speed at 25m Wind Energy Energy (kWh) Turbine(kWh)
Level(m/s) (kWh)
10m
Blade 25m Blade
Diameter Diameter

1 Benin 2.135 2.32 27.86 2,187.81 13,673.78

2 Calabar 1.702 1.12 13.42 1,053.69 6,587.53

3 Enugu 3.372 7.83 93.91 7,375.75 46,097.96

4 Ibadan 2.620 4.15 49.78 3,909.79 24,436.19

5 Ilorin 2.078 1.23 14.73 1,157.06 7,230.57

6 Jos 4.430 16.05 192.64 15,129.60 94,559.98

7 Kaduna 3.605 9.91 188.88 936.81 58,355.08

8 Kano 3.516 8.57 102.86 8,078.61 50,491.28

9 Lagos 2.671 4.36 52.32 4,099.78 25,682.52

10 Lokoja 2.235 2.60 31.21 4,451.23 15,320.17

11 Maiduguri 3.486 8.42 101.01 7,933.61 49,583.17

12 Minna 1.589 1.05 12.60 989.60 6,185.01

13 Makurdi 2.689 4.44 53.27 4,183.51 26,148.85

14 Nguru 4.259 14.48 173.74 13,645.19 85,284.42

15 Oshogbo 1.625 1.07 12.81 1,006.60 6,288.09

16 P.H 2.640 4.17 49.98 3,925.48 24,533.88

17 Potiskum 3.636 9.44 113.25 8,894.35 55,591.46

18 Sokoto 4.476 16.47 197.68 15.525.75 97,035.94

19 Warri 2.027 2.02 24.20 1,900.66 11,879.15

20 Yelwa 3.360 7.76 93.13 7,314.88 45,714.59

21 Yola 1.824 1.45 17.34 1,361.88 8,511.75

22 Zaria 2.891 5.32 63.88 5,017.26 31,357.02

Total 134.23 1,680.5 120,078.9 790,548.39

Source: www.renewablenigeria.org Accessed 13 July 2009 as stated by Agbetuyi et al (2012)

2.3 Nigeria Status in Wind Power Projects

Wind power is one of the unexploited alternative energy resources in Nigeria in spite of its
abundance in different parts of the country. Although, windmills were used in Nigeria in the
mid-1960s, in Sokoto and Garo over 20 homes and schools had used them to pump water, but all
have been discarded (Saddik et al., 2012). From the review, only four existing projects are found
in the whole country as shown in Tab. 3.

Table 3: Existing Wind Power Projects in Nigeria

S/N Location Year Capacity Source

1 Sayya, Gidan- Gada, Sokoto 1988 5kW/h Working

2 Dan-Jawa Village, Sokoto N/A 0.75kW/h Working

3 katsina, Katsina State 2012 10kW/h Under Construction

4 Energy Research Center, Benin N/A 1k/Wh Working

Key: N/A: Not available
Source: Saddik et al., (2012)

Katsina Wind Project is a 10MW wind power project from the Katsina Wind Farm in Lambar
Rimi community, it was to be commissioned in March 2018 (Sunday & Shimnon, 2018). The
project started as a pilot design in 2010 and has taken eight years, in fact six years behind
schedule, yet uncompleted. The project consists of 37 units of wind turbine, each with a
generating capacity of 275kW and a height of 55metres. Only 15 units are fully installed and
connected to grid, the remaining 17 units are in various stages of completion, they are expected
to be commissioned at the end of the year. If this timeline is achieved, the plant will become the
second alternative energy source injected into the national grid after the 1.2MW on-grid solar
plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in the Federal Capital Territory (Sunday & Shimnon, 2018).

2.4 Hindrances to development

Some among the several challenges militating against the prospect of wind energy technology in
Nigeria includes:

 Lack of government commitment at various levels to fund renewable energy resources.

 Lack of encouragement for Private sector by the government to engage in the
development of renewable energy technologies.
 Lack of workable policy for the Renewable Energy Technologies.
 Lack of adequate sensitization and encouragement by Government, NGOs and
developmental agencies for stakeholders to adopt the use of renewable energy
technologies.
 Reluctance of government to partner with international organizations like UNIDO, World
Bank in financing some of the Renewable Energy Projects.
 Inadequate sensitization of local community on the advantages of this initiative
 Absence of wind energy technology in the nation’s independent power project plan.

3.0 CONCLUSION

The study was hinged on the prospect of wind alternative energy supply in Nigeria. From the
literatures reviewed, it was revealed that mean wind speed regimes in the north and south lie
between 4.0−7.5m/s and 3.0−3.5m/s respectively at 10m above the ground. With these wind
regimes, it can be deduced that there is a far-reaching prospect within the country for power
generation through wind.

4.0 RECOMMENDATION

In order to fully harness renewable energy resources in Nigeria, the following recommendations
should be considered:

 Government at various levels should pay more attention to renewable energy resources
by allocating more funds.
 Private sector should be given room and encouraged by the government to engage in the
development of renewable energy technologies.
 Workable policy should be formulated for the Renewable Energy Technologies.
 Government, NGOs and developmental agencies should sensitize and encourage
stakeholders to adopt the use of renewable energy technologies.
 Government should partner with international organizations like UNIDO, World Bank in
financing some of the Renewable Energy Projects.
 Sensitization of local community on the advantages of this initiative
 Incorporation of Wind energy technology into the nation’s independent power project
plan.
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