Decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-east Nigeria: Barriers, Feasibility, and Policy Gaps

Abstract

Nigeria faces one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most severe energy poverty crises, with over 85 million people lacking electricity access, a challenge that disproportionately affects more than 2.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in conflict-affected North-East Nigeria. Despite national electrification efforts, humanitarian settlements remain largely excluded from reliable power infrastructure. This study evaluates the technical feasibility, spatial energy gaps, and policy barriers associated with deploying decentralized solar and hybrid solar–wind systems in IDP settlements across six North-Eastern states. A mixed-method geospatial framework was applied, integrating Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) nighttime light data, Geo-Referenced Infrastructure and Demographic Data for Development (GRID<sup>3</sup>) infrastructure datasets, and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) demand data using Python and Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). Nighttime light intensity was classified into no-access (≤100 nW/cm²/sr), limited-access (101–1000 nW/cm²/sr), and full-access (>1000 nW/cm²/sr) categories. Results identified 670 IDP camps across 112 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with high concentrations in Bauchi (264 camps), Borno (194), and Gombe (140), predominantly located within limited-access zones. Solar resource assessment shows strong regional potential (4.2–4.6 kWh/m²/day Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI)), while average wind speeds of 2–4 m/s support small-scale hybrid applications. A representative camp load analysis (3.72 kWh/day) demonstrates that a 0.99 kWp solar array combined with a 3.2 kWh battery and a 300 W vertical-axis wind turbine can reliably meet basic household energy needs, reducing approximately 25.88 kgCO<sub>2</sub>e per household annually. Key barriers include high upfront costs, limited financing mechanisms, weak humanitarian energy policy integration, and security-related operational risks. The study provides empirical evidence for integrating decentralized renewable energy into national electrification strategies through risk-informed planning and tailored financing models to enhance resilience, sustainability, and dignity in displacement settings.