Renewable Energy Solutions for Rural Healthcare Facilities: A Look at the Energy-Health Nexus in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has one of the most inefficient health care systems in the world. Through various internal and external organizations, efforts have been made to improve the country’s health care; however, an overlooked aspect to Nigeria’s failing health system has been the country’s lack of energy access. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the impact that energy systems have towards rural health care systems in Nigeria, and to suggest ways in which renewable energy technologies can help to improve this problem. Using the Southeastern Nigerian local government area, Orumba South, as a case study, this thesis seeks to evaluate the region’s current energy systems and the potential renewable energy technologies that would best serve the rural location. Based on the results of questionnaires distributed to its health facilities, it was found that all the clinics in the area use diesel generators as their primary source of energy. Through the use of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s analysis tool, Hybrid Optimization Model for Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER), an optimal renewable energy system design was suggested using the environmental resources of the study region. While most previous researchers have looked at the inclusion of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines as renewable energy technologies for rural health facilities, this study suggests that micro hydropower plants would be an efficient technology to improve the energy mix of Southeastern Nigerian rural health systems, and thus improving the healthcare delivery and health outcomes of the region.