Hydropower Potential for Clean Energy Development in Nigeria: A SWOT Analysis

Hydroelectricity can be planned on a small or large scale but a small-scale hydropower project can be integrated with other renewable and non-renewable energy to generate rural community-based electricity. The electricity scheme of a society is better managed if an approach is sustained in such a way that both supply and demand-side options can be balanced with minimum cost accruing to the project and energy delivery service. Hydropower sources are abundant in Nigeria and hydroelectricity development is a highly promising electrification option for both urban and rural areas of the country. While the existing large hydropower projects in the country belong to the Government then small-scale projects are predominantly owned by private investors. Thereafter, Hydropower development projects in the country especially on small-scale electric power potential for rural communities could be expanded through government-community or government-private-based partnership agreements. Thus, this paper focuses on the assessment of hydropower potential for renewable energy development in the country. It also examines some challenging factors of hydropower development and issues concerning the grid-independent application of small hydropower systems for hybrid electricity schemes based on the perspectives of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats approach. Conclusively, the work pinpoints some crucial recommendations for increasing the potential utilization of hydropower and other renewable energy sources (RES) in the country.