AN ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Every stage of the world development is accompanied by increased demand for energy and consequent transition from one dominant form to the other and with an impact on the environment, which led to today’s climate change. The industrial revolution witnessed tremendous exploitation of fossil-based energy resources with substantial emission of greenhouse gases. Energy security propels socio-economic development, however, achieving energy security towards sustainable development has been a huge challenge for Nigeria despite the substantial availability of renewable and non-renewable energy. This paper assesses the current status of energy utilization in Nigeria and the role of renewable energy towards mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases and achieving sustainable future for the country. Available (secondary) data shows a huge gap between the energy demand and the actual amount generated. The difference between the installed capacity and actual generation capacity indicates very low-capacity utilization. Whereas the percentage of renewable in the generation mix is equally very low. Analysis of greenhouse gas emission using RETScreen tool indicates that power generation from the generating companies of Nigeria produces 15,556,817 tCO_2, 22,475,102 tCO_2, and 28,807,085 tCO₂ when generated via natural gas, oil, and coal respectively. Available renewable energy resources and technologies could be deployed to sustainably bridge the demand gap if the noted challenges are adequately addressed.