Technical support on the elaboration of the rural electrification master plan of Jigawa State (Northern Nigeria)

Abstract

Jigawa State, with a rural population of 85% and 20% of electricity access among other basic services deficiencies, is one of the poorest states of Nigeria. The electrification targets of the state were assessed from a decentralized approach. Solar potential, biomass residues and Jatropha Curcas harvest are the main local resources to be considered for power generation. It was found that a fuel diversified strategy, considering local available resources, represent a more feasible and ecological alternative than the current strategy based on increasing on-grid diesel capacity, and also improve security against fuel price volatility and eventual supply contingencies.