CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Energy is fundamental to all human activities. The existing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) cannot be achieved without access to adequate and affordable energy. Energy is inevitable for poverty alleviation and the production of goods and services. Globally, more than 1.6 billion people live without access to electricity and 2.4 billion people are without modern energy services for cooking and heating (Community Research and Development Centre, 2007). Majority of the world’s poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is the most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly one quarter of the Sub-Saharan Africa’s population, and is one of the poorest countries in the world despite the huge resources from crude oil export (Community Research and Development Centre, 2007). An estimated 60-70% of the Nigerian population does not have access to electricity. Energy supply in Nigeria is dominated by fuel wood and women and children are the most affected in the energy crisis (Community Research and Development Centre, 2007).
Renewable energy technology is a promising solution to the energy crisis in Nigeria. Renewable energy, apart from being inexhaustible and hence, sustainable, can be set up in small units and is therefore suitable for community management and ownership. To achieve sustainability in the development of energy, it should be promoted along side with energy efficiency (CREDC, 2007).