Title : Assessing renewable energy sustainability in Nigeria through lifecycle and circular economy frameworks
Abstract:
Nigeria’s accelerating transition toward renewable energy particularly solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydropower, and bioenergy systems offers a viable pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening national energy security. However, the environmental sustainability of these technologies requires careful and holistic assessment. This review synthesizes evidence using a structured Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach combined with land-use analysis, biodiversity impact evaluation, and circular economy (CE) modelling to understand Nigeria’s renewable energy pathway from cradle to grave. The methodology comprises four steps which includes: systematically reviewing peer-reviewed studies and national datasets to extract lifecycle inventory data; computing key Life Cycle Assessment impacts across all lifecycle stages; synthesizing geospatial land-use and biodiversity analyses to assess DLUC and ILUC; and evaluating circular economy strategies such as material recovery, recycling, and waste-to-energy; within Nigeria’s “30-30-30” renewable energy transition scenario. Results reveal that while operation-phase emissions for renewables are extremely low, 80–90 percent of environmental burdens originate from upstream manufacturing processes, notably rare-earth mineral extraction for wind turbines and silicon purification for PV modules. Land-use pressures arise mainly from large solar farms in northern semi-arid zones and bioenergy expansion in southern agricultural belts, contributing to soil degradation and displacement of traditional livelihoods. Biodiversity impacts remain substantial, with 10–30 percent declines in bird and pollinator populations reported near major installations due to habitat fragmentation. Nonetheless, CE strategies demonstrate strong mitigation potential. Recycling of PV modules can recover 90–95 percent of aluminium and silver, while modular wind components enable refurbishment and circularity. Waste-to-energy approaches, including livestock-based biogas, could generate up to 6.8 million cubic metres of biogas daily, easing pressure on ecosystems and reducing reliance on virgin materials. Summarily, integrating LCA with CE principles and spatially resolved land-use and biodiversity indicators provides a realistic and environmentally balanced pathway for Nigeria’s energy transition. The paper concludes that Nigeria’s renewable energy expansion can be both low-carbon and ecologically sustainable if guided by scenario-based planning, region-specific deployment strategies, and strong alignment between environmental impact assessment regulations and circular economy policies.
Keywords: Sustainability; Renewable Energy; Life Cycle Assessment; Circular Economy; Land Use.
