Sustainable energy development and environmental protection: Implication for selected states in West Africa

The study exposed the energy situation of ECOWAS member states with particular focus on Nigeria, Niger Republic, Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana. It highlighted the various indices that represent the state of energy production and distribution and surveyed the renewable energy potential of the countries. The factors responsible for the energy poverty experienced by the countries were discussed and some implications of the energy state of the countries were exposed. It was found that although the countries have very good potential for renewable energy application for power generation, they were however limited by certain factors. These factors include a lack of or not enough robust national renewable energy resource measurements and assessments, and also lack of economic incentives to favour renewable energy technology development. Some policy suggestions that will promote the development and growth of sustainable energy in the countries were proposed.