Solar energy capacity in Nigeria 2014-2023

Nigeria's solar energy capacity has grown in the last years, reaching 112 megawatts in 2023. This represented a substantial 2,700 percent increase from 2014, highlighting the country's commitment to expanding its renewable energy infrastructure. The rapid expansion of solar capacity aligns with broader efforts to diversify Nigeria's energy mix and reduce reliance on traditional power sources.

Further developments are still needed in solar power generation

The increase in solar capacity has translated into higher electricity generation from this renewable source. In 2023, Nigeria produced 50 gigawatt hours of electricity from solar power, maintaining the level achieved in the previous two years. This marked a significant progress from 2012 when solar energy contributed only 20 gigawatt hours to the country's electricity production. Despite this growth, solar power still lags behind hydropower, which generated over 9,200 gigawatt hours in 2022, making it Nigeria's largest renewable energy source.

Renewable energy's role in Nigeria's power sector

Renewable energy, including solar power, plays an increasingly important role in Nigeria's overall energy landscape. In 2023, renewables’ contribution to the country's total power generation stood at approximately 20.5 percent, slightly down from the previous year but still representing a significant portion. The share of renewables peaked in 2019 at 25.6 percent. As of 2023, Nigeria's total renewable energy capacity stood at 2.98 megawatts, showing modest growth from 2.12 megawatts in 2011. This indicates that while solar capacity has grown rapidly, there is still considerable potential for further expansion of renewable energy sources in Nigeria.