October 25, 2024/CSL Research
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released the 2024 Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS) report. The report is the maiden edition of the energy demand survey conducted to provide an understanding of household energy acquisition, usage, and expenditure. The survey was conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics across nine (9) states of the federation in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), European Union (EU), and the International Energy Agency (IEA), with the aim of addressing the data gap noticed on the energy demand side. The objectives of the survey are to (i) assess household energy consumption (ii) evaluate access to electricity (iii) analyse residential appliances and usage (iv) provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry players and the government.
The survey findings showed that 67.8% of households used fuelwood for various purposes, including domestic, agricultural, commercial, cultural, and religious activities. Fuelwood, such as logs and twigs, was primarily acquired through purchase, with 41% of households obtaining it this way. Cutting and collection accounted for 39%, while 18.9% of households sourced fuelwood through other means, such as barter, gifts, or borrowing. Charcoal was used by 22% of households during the reference period. Of these, 21.6% purchased charcoal, while only 0.3% produced it themselves and 0.6% obtained it through other means.
Additionally, 19.4% of households reported using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) during the same period, with the average monthly expenditure on LPG being ₦10,239.7 across the surveyed states. In terms of electricity access, over 58% of households were connected to the national grid, and 86.6% had an electricity supply during the reference period. Among those connected, 85.2% were on an estimated billing system, while 14.8% used a pre-paid system.
The average monthly household expenditure on electricity was ₦4,155.8 during this time. It is hoped that the data provided by this survey will inform policies as well as contribute to Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 – universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. The data helps policymakers understand household energy consumption patterns, including the use of fuelwood, charcoal, LPG, and electricity.
This enables more informed decisions on energy policy, including investment in renewable energy and efforts to reduce dependence on unsustainable energy sources like fuelwood and charcoal. By identifying the widespread use of fuelwood and charcoal, the survey highlights potential environmental concerns such as deforestation and air pollution. This information can drive initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable energy alternatives, reforestation, and forest management. The survey data on electricity access can guide improvements in energy infrastructure. It can also help direct resources towards expanding the grid to underserved areas and transitioning households to the use of pre-paid meters. Finally, understanding household expenditure on energy can inform economic policies, especially in relation to the cost of living and household income.
