Project planning and control analysis for suburban photovoltaic alternative electric power supply in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Alternative photovoltaic (PV) electric power systems are designed for suburban residential complexes in Nigeria’s Southwestern region as succour to erratic grid power supply. The initial project in suburban Ibadan, Oyo State was analyzed as model for other stakeholders in the region. A project planning framework was used for analysis. The project scope, cost and time specifications were determined: a 7 MW PV system designed over 35 acres, estimated power generation costs of US$2.56 per watt, estimated total project cost of $17.9 million, estimated cost at completion of $21.6 million, and estimated completion time of 12 months 19 days. Techno-economic benefits include 15.83 GWh of electricity and revenue of US$1.74 million per annum per state. Environmental benefits include annual elimination of 1.58 million litres of diesel fuel use and 4241.8 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere. The schemes were determined to be non-viable at the extant electricity utility rates of US$0.07 per kWh but viable at electricity utility rate of $0.11 per kWh with payback period of 16 years. The study concluded that in spite of the expected project time delay and budget overshoot, the project was viable and a suitable template for Southwestern Nigeria.

Keywords:

• project planning and control
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• off-grid electric power systems
• Public-Private Partnership
• photovoltaic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The states in Nigeria’s Southwestern geopolitical zone are in the distribution areas of four electricity distribution companies (Discos), namely, Lagos State: Eko and Ikeja Discos; Ondo and Ekiti States: Benin Disco; Oyo, Osun and Ogun States: Ibadan Disco.

2 States in the South-West geopolitical zone have individual governance structures and development programmes; however they bond together under the regional Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission whose mission is to engender regional co-operation and integration as a catalyst for achieving sustainable socio-economic growth and development in the region resulting in high standard of living and improved well-being for the people.

3 IBEDC is the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company or Ibadan DISCO. This company distributes electricity to Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States in Nigeria’s Southwestern geopolitical zone. The Ikeja and Eko DISCOs distribute power in Lagos State, while Edo DISCO distributes power in Ondo and Ekiti States.