Utilising renewable energy technologies for electricity poverty reduction in South-West Nigeria: technology adoption and psychosocial perspectives

This paper examined the technological and psychosocial attitudes of the public in South West region in Nigeria describing how the awareness and adoption of renewable energy technologies can be harnessed in solving electricity poverty. This study used questionnaire to randomly sample the opinions of 143 respondents in the region and the data collected was analysed using appropriate descriptive techniques. It was discovered that a sizeable (38.4%) number of the respondents, despite their level of education, were not aware of renewable energies from wind, biomass, and solar heating. Majority (89%) of the populace believed that government should support and fund renewable energy generators as well as providing an enabling environment for the private sectors. More than 80% opined that they are paying too much for the current poor electricity supply; however they are willing to pay more if regular supply of electricity can be attained through renewable energies.