Modeling Site Suitability and Capacity for Small Hydropower Generation in Edo State, Southern Nigeria
Keywords:
Small Hydropower (SHP), Suitability, GIS, Dam
Abstract
The study evaluates the suitability of sites for small hydropower (SHP) development in Edo State, Nigeria, as a renewable energy source. The assessment integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques with hydrogeological and remote sensing data, including precipitation, stream order, geology, slope, land use/land cover, and soil texture. A Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach, specifically the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), was used to rank potential SHP sites based on their suitability for hydropower generation. The analysis identified three highly suitable locations for SHP development. The estimated gross annual energy outputs for these sites were 5.8 MW, 5.65 MW, and 6.1 MW, respectively. These findings indicate significant potential for SHP as a sustainable energy solution in the region. However, further considerations-such as the specific hydropower yield, the river course location, environmental sustainability, socio-cultural factors, and compliance with government policies-are crucial for successful development. The study underscores the importance of SHP in enhancing electrification efforts while promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable energy generation.
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References
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2. Adinarayana JKN (1995) An Integrated Approach for Prioritization Of Watersheds. Journal of Environmental Management, 4(44), 375-384.
3. Africa Soil Profiles Database (AFSP). (n.d.). www.isric.org. https://www.isric.org/projects/africa-soil-profiles-database-afsp
4. Ang, T., Salem, M., Kamarol, M., Das, H. S., Nazari, M. A., & Prabaharan, N. (2022). A comprehensive study of renewable energy sources: Classifications, challenges and suggestions. Energy Strategy Reviews, 43, 100939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100939
5. Baban SMJ, Wan-Yusof K (2003) Modelling Optimum sites for locating reservoirs in tropical Environments. Water Resources Management, 1-17.
6. Chiyembekezo SK, Cuthbert ZK, Torbjorn KN (2012) Potential of Small-Scale Hydropower for Electricity Generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, International Scholarly Research Network ISRN Renewable Energy Volume 2012, Article ID 132606, 15 pages doi:10.5402/2012/132606.
7. Citypopulation (2023) Data retrieved: 23-11-2023 from https://citypopulation.de/en/nigeria/cities/agglos/ based on data from National Population Commission and National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria.
8. Department of the Army & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (1986). SEEPAGE ANALYSIS AND CONTROL FOR DAMS (Change 1) [Engineer Manual]. Department of the Army. https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_1110-2-1901.pdf (Original work published 1993)
9. De winnaar G (2007) A GIS based approach for identifying potential runoff harvesting sites in the Thukela River Basin, South Africa. Physics and Chemistry of The Earth, 1058-1067.
10. Emeribe, C. N., Ogbomida, E., Fasipe, O., Biose, O., Aganmwonyi, I., Isiekwe, M., & Fasipe, I. (2016). HYDROLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS OF SOME RIVERS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA FOR SMALL-SCALE HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT. Nigerian Journal of Technology, 35(3), 656. https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i3.26.
11. Fraenklel PP (1991) Micro-Hydro Power; Aguide for development workers, London. London: Immediate Technology Publications in association with The Stoockholm Environment Institute.
12. Karakuş CB, Yıldız S (2022) GIS‑multi criteria decision analysis‑based land suitability assessment for dam site selection. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Springer, 19:12561–12580, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04323-4.
13. Khare V, Khare C, Nema S, Baredar P (2019) Chapter 1 - Introduction to Energy Sources In: V Khare, C Khare, S Nema, PBT-TESBaredar (ed) Elsevier, pp 1–39 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814881-5.00001-6.
14. Kurse BC, Baruah DC, Bordoloi PK, Patra SC (2010) Assessment of Hydropower Potential using GIS and Hydrlological Modelling technique in Kopili River Basin in Assam India. Appl. Energy, 87(1), 298-309.
15. Geological Maps. (n.d.). Nigeria Geological Survey Agency. https://ngsa.gov.ng/geological-maps/
16. Mahoo HN (1999) Rainwater Harvesting Technologies for Agricultural Production: A case of Dodoma, Tanzania. Dodoma.
17. Maidment RD (1993) Handbook of Hydrology. Texas, USA: University of Texas.
18. Melesse AM (2002) Spatially Distributed Storm Runoff Depth Estimation using Landsat images and GIS. University of Florida, Gainesville.
19. NIMET (2007) Rainfall and Temperature data for Benin City Synoptic Station. Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Benin, Nigeria.
20. Odiji C, Adepoju M, Ibrahim, I, Adedeji O, Nnaemeka I, Aderoju O (2021) Small hydropower dam site suitability modelling in upper Benue River watershed, Nigeria, Applied Water Science, Springer. 11:136https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01466-6.
21. Osokoya O. O., Ojikutu, A. O., Olayiwola, O. O., Chinedum, C. W., & Osokoya, O. O. (2013). Enhancing Small Hydropower Generation in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering, 1(2), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.7569/jsee.2012.629507
22. Prasad HC, Bhalla P, Palria S (2014) Site suitability Analysis of water Harvesting Structures using Remote Sensing and GIS- A csae Study of Pisangan Watershed, Ajmer District, Rajasthan. The Internal Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensng and Spatial Information Sciences., XL-8.
23. Saaty T (1977) A scaling method for priorities in hierarchical structures. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 3(15), 234-281.
24. Soulis, K. X., Manolakos, D., Anagnostopoulos, J., & Papantonis, D. (2016). Development of a geo-information system embedding a spatially distributed hydrological model for the preliminary assessment of the hydropower potential of historical hydro sites in poorly gauged areas. Renewable Energy, 92, 222–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.02.013.
25. USDA (2004) Estimation of Direct runoff from Storm rainfall, National Engineering Handbook.
26. Valiantzas KS (2012) SCS-CN Parameter determination using Rainfall-Runoff data in heterogenous Watersheds- the two-CN-System approach. Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, Department of Natural resources Management and Agriculture Engineering. Ahens: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.
27. Wang L, Li Y, Wu J, An Z, Suo L, Ding J, Li S, Wei D, Jin L (2023) Effects of the Rainfall Intensity and Slope Gradient on Soil Erosion and Nitrogen Loss on the Sloping Fields of Miyun Reservoir. Plants (Basel). 12(3):423. doi: 10.3390/plants12030423. PMID: 36771513; PMCID: PMC9921839.
28. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal. (n.d.). https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/nigeria/climate-data-historical
Published
2025-04-15
How to Cite
Fakpor, A. M., Fagunloye, O. C., Igben, T. E., & Dada, E. (2025). Modeling Site Suitability and Capacity for Small Hydropower Generation in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 40, 262. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/19378
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2025 Akpofure Miller Fakpor, Olamiposi Caleb Fagunloye, Titus Endurance Igben, Emmanuel Dada
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
