Page | iii Page | iv v Page | vi Page | vii 2 2 1.1 Objectives of the study The objectives of this study include the following: i. To explore the green potentials of renewable energy as a catalyst for development in Ondo State. ii. Conduct a survey on the green potentials o f renewable energy to catalyse development in thes tate. iii. To proffer recommendations for driving renewable energy adoption in the state . The study made use of both primary and secondary sources of data. To gather information on the green potentials of Renewable Energy as a catalyst for development in Ondo state, three data-collection strategies were adopted – secondary data, focus group dis cussions, and questionnaire survey. A purposive sampling was used in selecting fifty (50) respondents to ascertain the state of electricity and the potential for renewable energy in the state in terms of health, gender, agriculture, SMEs, and education. Th is was complemented by engagement with relevant stakeholders in policy making as well as stakeholders with insights on renewable energy or in aligned sectors, or with knowledge and influence with driving investments and opportunities available in the state . These groups cut across renewable energy programme officers, field officers of Non - Governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSO), and Government Officials. Secondary data on the existing national renewable energy policies were used to provide general insight on the strategic policies that can be localized to drive electrification in the state. Also, secondary research on electricity in the state was highlighted in the study. Data were qualitatively , and quantitatively analyzed and presented in percenta ges and tables. Engagement with local stakeholders reveals that the electricity supply in the 3 senatorial zones of the state remains very poor. However, the central senatorial zone where the state capital Akure South is located experiences a relatively better but unreliable power supply compared to the two (2) other zones. On the other hand, the survey shows that most Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the northern senatorial zone do not have constant and regular power supply, while major town like Akungba enjoy only 3hrs of electricity daily. The survey further indicates that the South Senatorial zone has the poorest electricity power supply with some LGAs like Okitipupa and Ore have been without electricity supply for the past 9 years. These LGAs have been disconnected from the national grid by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) following a trade dispute over unpaid electricity bills by the communities in the LGAs. The state government in an effort to remedy the situation has begun deploying renewable energy-powered Mini-Grids in some of these communities. Percentage of households with PHCN: 87.5 electricity (2010) Rural electrification: 0.8 Private generator: 2.9 Rural electrification/generator: 2.9 Solar panel: 0.0 Households by type of lighting Electricity: 320,930 fuel Gas: 5,884 Kerosene: 414,613 Candle: 17,059 Solar: 1,467 Others: 3,067 7 Figures from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report shows that the majority of the population, 87.5% depends on the unreliable electricity supply from the grid, while a fraction of the rural population 0.8% remain connected to the grid. Furthermore, a significant number of rural population in Ondo State are either underserved or completely unserved by the grid, particularly those located in the riverine communities who still depend on unclean sources of energy. 7 Following research and data collection on the potential of renewable energy in the following thematic areas; namely SMEs, gender, health, agriculture, and education, in Ondo state; as well as engagement with various stakeholders in the state - below are results of the survey conducted: Potential of Renewable Energy as a Catalyst for Development in Ondo State Page 7 This study engaged fifty (50) respondents to ascertain the energy challenges in Ondo state. Figure 2 above shows that 75% indicated that the lack of policies to support the development of renewable energy in the state is a major reason why this source 75% of energy has not been adequately explored. From the survey, 90% indicated the lack of awareness of the potentials of renewable energy in the state. Findings shows that there is a huge knowledge gap of this source of energy which is evident by the lack of refe rence renewable energy projects in rural communities that have been without electricity for over 8 years. The survey shows that 80% agreed that epileptic power supply from the grid is another major challenge of energy in the state. 60% of the respondents i ndicated that the estimated billing by BEDC is another challenge faced by residents in the state. Unmetered customers are made to pay high tariffs on the unreliable power supply from the grid. 40% agreed that lack of government commitment to providing ener gy to rural communities in the state namely Odigbo, Ilaje, Ese -Ode, Irele, and Okitupupa is another major challenge of energy in the state. blackout for over eight (8) years. Thi s has crippled small businesses such as tailoring, barbing salons, shoemakers, hairdressers, and traders who rely on power to cool drinks. Women face the largest burden of not having access to modern energy and are affected by poor unclean energy. Energy access is a lever for economic and social empowerment of women, and when that energy comes from renewable sources, the socioeconomic and health benefits are amplified even more. Also, adopting modern and clean energy impacts both women ’s health and the climate by reducing the country’s overall dependence on fossil fuels which reduces greenhouse gas emissions that impact the country’s climate future. The adoption of clean improved cookstoves by women, provides health and time savings for households that reduces the rate of deforestation, and emissions that consequently contribute to climate change. Furthermore, primary data collection during the course of this research further highlights th e impact of access to clean energy on women in rural and urban communities. Responses from respondents showed that women in the state mostly depend on unclean sources such as firewood, and kerosene which harm their health. The survey showed that exposing t hese women to clean sources of energy such as clean cook stoves, and solar systems can greatly improve their lives. 12 - . 13 GOG 14 ibid -jobs-census-2019-energy-access-workforce.pdf 19 to extend the daily time for learning at night. The interview conducted in the course of this research shows that most secondary schools in the 5 LGAs around the coastal region of Ondo state namely Odigbo, Ilaje, Ese-Ode, Irele, and Okitupupa and some part of Akoko are not connected to the grid and this has affected students ability to study and adopt modern technology that requires power. The benefits of renewable energy solutions to education are enormous as this will enable school children to take cal sses in well-lit classrooms and can study longer at home. Powering schools with renewable energy increases learning hours and studying at night by students in a safe and secure environment. Furthermore, improved energy access through renewable energy cand rive digital learning for students. Globally, there is a problem of inadequate supply of clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services. In Ondo State, several attempts have been made by the present administration to improve water supply and ensure water security in the state. These efforts include the construction of dams, provision of water reticulation networks in major cities within the state (especially in Akure metropolis and Ilaje LGA), construction of boreholes by several organisations, individuals and political office holders (through constituency allowances), construction of solar-powered boreholes by the Ondo State Government amongst several others. The linkages between water and energy are increasingly recognized as an essential strategy to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Energy is required for pumping, treatment, and transportation of water to where it is needed. Findings reveals that investment in solar- powered boreholes will go a long in making access to clean drinking water a reality in most of the rural communities especially in the northern senatorial district of the state. Due to its terrain and vegetation, residents of the Akoko area of the state are usually faced with difficulty in accessing safe drinking water, especially during the dry season. Solar-powered boreholes will also be useful to those residents in the riverine areas of the state, who though surrounded by the ocean do not have access to safe drinking water. Source: Field Survey (2020) In a focus group discussions with stakeholders in Ondo state, several benefits of renewable energy were identified and validated with a survey to corroborate the responses. As shown in figure 3 above, 95% indicated that adopting renewable energy can significantly improve power supply in the state especially in the rural communities. 85% agreed that the adoption of renewable energy can also prevent exposure to harmful sources of energy such as firewood and fuel generators. 80% indicated that renewable energy can impact the agriculture value chain in the state by providing heat and power for irrigation, food preservation, freezing, drying, grinding, storage, milling, thus preventing loss of a significant fraction of the harvest. The survey showed that 70 % agreed that adopting renewable energy will help in promoting SDG 7 – affordable and clean energy and SDG 13 – climate action in the state. 65% noted that renewable energy can significantly boost economic activities in the state. Respondents noted that th e provision of small and ready to deploy solar systems in rural and off -grid communities will significantly increase the performance of SMEs across the state. 90% agreed that renewable energy can impact education in the state.