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Global anthropogenic activities resulting in the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere have increased the challenges faced from climate change. The greater awareness of the need to mitigate climate variability has brought about intense focus on the adverse impacts of fossil-fuel based energy on the environment. Being the single largest source of carbon emissions, energy supply has attracted much attention and more so that, climate change impacts extend beyond national boundaries. Since energy use is sine qua non to economic development, scientists have reiterated the necessity of developing and utilising renewable energy. Although, past and present CO 2 emissions have and are majorly caused by industrialized countries, it is envisaged that future GHGs emissions would be mostly from developing countries as they industrialize. Renewable energy sources that include biomass, hydroelectric, wind, solar and hydrothermal systems, are carbon-neutral, releasing relatively no emissions. This paper discusses the initiatives associated with the provision of renewable energy to the energy mix in Nigeria as an indication of the country’s commitment to adopt a sustainable development strategy in shaping the economy. It reviews the literature and employs a discourse analysis to examine the limited use of renewable energy sources in Nigeria and the factors prevailing against their development. The paper concludes by identifying social and political obstacles as most significant roadblocks towards rapid implementation of a green economy through the deployment of renewable energy for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria is endowed with various conventional and non-conventional energy resources essential for a robust and rapid economic growth and development. However, there is a high degree of infrastructural deficiency in the economy particularly in the electricity sector. This study is an effort to carry out a quantification assessment of the sawdust and rice husk generated in the sawmills and ricemills, respectively, and their corresponding electrical energy potential in each of the identified clusters. Based on these potentials, the capacity of the power plant was determined. In addition, a load survey in the beneficiary area and the agro-forestry clusters themselves were conducted, so as to identify potential site which is not far away from the fuel source for the location of the power plant. Finally, the study also carried out quantification of CO2 emission minimization capacity and economic gains from fuel displacement using sawdust and rice husk to generate electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]