Hydro Power Generation 1n Nigeria: Impacts And Mitigation

Abstract

Hydro generation is the second contributor to the power generation in Nigeria. Nigeria is endowed with abundance of water resources, which over the years has been under harnessed. Hydroelectricity contributes about 30% of the total installed grid in the country. The country has a total installed capacity of 1975MW hydro generated electricity, which will improve immensely over the years, with the proposed construction of new plants. The number of hydropower plants that can be built is finite, but only a third of the sites classified worldwide as economically feasible are tapped. Hydro generation has had so many impacts on the society and environment over the years. These impacts are both positive and negative. This paper looks on the generation of hydropower in Nigeria, its social and environmental impact.