Project planning and control analysis for suburban photovoltaic alternative electric power supply in Southwestern Nigeria

Alternative photovoltaic (PV) electric power systems are designed for suburban residential complexes in Nigeria’s Southwestern region as succour to erratic grid power supply. The initial project in suburban Ibadan, Oyo State was analyzed as model for other stakeholders in the region. A project planning framework was used for analysis. The project scope, cost and time specifications were determined: a 7 MW PV system designed over 35 acres, estimated power generation costs of US$2.56 per watt, estimated total project cost of $17.9 million, estimated cost at completion of $21.6 million, and estimated completion time of 12 months 19 days. Techno-economic benefits include 15.83 GWh of electricity and revenue of US$1.74 million per annum per state. Environmental benefits include annual elimination of 1.58 million litres of diesel fuel use and 4241.8 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. The schemes were determined to be non-viable at the extant electricity utility rates of US$0.07 per kWh but viable at electricity utility rate of $0.11 per kWh with payback period of 16 years. The study concluded that in spite of the expected project time delay and budget overshoot, the project was viable and a suitable template for Southwestern Nigeria.