Is off-grid solar power cheaper in Nigeria?

As it is for Nigeria, off-grid solar power is cheaper for lower electricity usage levels. Off-grid solar would, by our estimates, be cheapest for between 28% and 88% of the 16 million people, depending on demand levels. When carbon pricing is factored in, this increases to 88% from 50%, with the greatest impact seen at higher demand levels.

Are off-grid solar panels a good option?

In some locations, they are the lowest-cost option, and can enable electricity access without building electricity grid infrastructure – transmission and distribution networks. Some of these studies, however, may have underestimated the potential benefits of off-grid solar power.

Does Nigeria have an unreliable grid?

Nigeria has an unreliable grid, with service levels worse in rural areas. Our analysis projects that Nigeria will have as many as 55 million households – around 20% of the population – without electricity access in 2030.

Which African countries have a reliable electricity grid?

Reliability issues are typically more common in rural areas. Just two sub-Saharan African countries have electricity grids without significant outages: Angola and Botswana. Outages reduce the benefits electricity offers to households and businesses, and create demand for expensive and typically polluting fuel-run generators.

Why do Nigerians need solar power?

Poor reliability of national electricity grids is an issue on the continent. When the costs of poor reliability are included in the calculation, solar becomes more competitive. It meets the needs of between 38% and 65% of the 55 million households in Nigeria.