Technology options for increasing electricity access in areas with low electricity access rate in Nigeria

•We examine the least-cost technology option for increasing electricity access.•We consider three options: grid-extension, mini-grids, and stand-alone system.•We use the Network Planner.•Grid-extension is the least-cost option for most demand nodes.•Mini-grid is a least-cost option for some demand nodes.

This study examines the least-cost technology option for increasing electricity access in two states in Nigeria where electricity access rate is below 20% i.e. Taraba and Yobe within a 10-year investment period. We employ the Network Planner – a web-based decision support program which integrates geospatial information with socio-economic, demographic and energy demand information, and compare three electrification options: grid-extension, mini-grid diesel-based system, and stand-alone option which uses solar PV and a small diesel generator. The result shows that grid-extension is the least-cost option for 98.7% and 89.5% of the demand centers in Taraba and Yobe respectively.