SEforALL study details fossil fuel generator usage in Lagos State to support transition planning and investment in clean energy
An analysis by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) in partnership with the Lagos State Government has identified almost 4.5 million fossil fuel generator sets (gensets) being used in Lagos State. These are producing total estimated annual emissions of 39 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) – more than the genset emissions of Togo, Rwanda and Gabon combined.
Nigeria’s ambitious energy transition targets universal access by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060, but gensets pose a significant challenge to achieving this net-zero goal. Lagos has the highest electricity demand in Nigeria, but only about 20% of this demand is met by the grid, leading to a reliance on gensets.
This dependence on gensets creates a vicious cycle. Businesses struggle with high fuel costs and unreliable power, stifling productivity and investment. Homes endure erratic electricity, hindering education and essential activities.
Transitioning these gensets to cleaner alternatives, in line with the nation’s climate and development goals, requires precise data collection around the number of gensets, their locations, usage patterns, and environmental and economic impacts. Therefore, the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources collaborated with SEforALL on a study that captures these insights and makes them readily available to energy planners from government and their development partners.
The data captured by the study are accessible online through the Nigeria Integrated Energy Planning Tool and are being used to guide the design, development and delivery of a state-wide fossil fuel displacement programme.
Precise data on gensets across Lagos supports targeted energy policies and interventions and the design of alternative, cleaner power solutions that meet the needs of different customers. Therefore, the study marks a crucial step towards sustainable and scalable renewable energy solutions, aligning with broader national energy transition objectives.
“Displacing small-scale fossil fuel generators with solar and storage solutions is essential for ensuring energy security, supporting economic development, and achieving Nigeria’s ambitious net-zero emissions target under its Energy Transition Plan. This analysis showcases the power that data and insights can have towards catalysing the energy transition in Lagos State and beyond.”
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy
“The Beyond Gensets: Advancing the Energy Transition in Lagos State report is more than just a study—it’s a catalyst for action. The study offers insights that systemically should drive Distributed Solar PV (DPV) initiatives such as rooftop solar with backup storage that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, starting here in Lagos and scaling across the nation. By understanding and working to mitigate the impacts of diesel and petrol generator sets, we are taking decisive steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Lagos and Nigeria as a Nation. Together, we can transform these findings into tangible progress, setting the standard for genset displacement nationwide.”
Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State
