Financing Options and Execution of Solar Power Projects in Southwest, Nigeria

Authors

  • Bayo-Ilawole, A. J. Federal University of Technology, Akure
  • Obamuyi, T. M. Federal University of Technology, Akure
  • Adepoju, A. O Federal University of Technology, Akure

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55677/GJEFR/04-2025-Vol02E2

Keywords:

Financing options, execution of solar power projects, developers, Southwest

Abstract

The success of solar power projects relies solely on the availability of finance for the execution. The interplay becomes critical for developing countries due to limited financial options, which ultimately impact on their ability to achieve their renewable energy goals. Therefore, this paper examined the main financing options available for execution of solar power projects (ESPP) in Southwest, Nigeria. The main financing options used for the study are equity, debt, government incentives and corporate institution supports. The study adopted a research survey design and a census population of 158 firms. The study retrieved and used 109 valid questionnaire collected from the top managers, representing about 69 percent. The data were collected using a digital questionnaire created with CSPro (Census and Survey Processing System). The method of analysis was the structural equation modelling (SEM). The SEM analyses conducted for the combined effect revealed that equity finance (β = 0.332; P < 0.05) was the only significant option among others; debt finance (β = 0.138; P > 0.05), government incentive (β = 0.138; P > 0.05), corporate institution support (β = 0.167; P > 0.05) were insignificant at 95 percent level. The result showed that equity financing is critical and that companies that use equity financing are more likely to successfully execute their projects. The study recommended that financial sector policy prioritise robust equity financing and offer incentives for project developers that integrate sustainability considerations. Solar power developers should also explore collaboration with private investors to share financial burdens. Overall, the study provided insights into the financing options and execution of solar power projects in Southwest, Nigeria. The findings have implications for policymakers, solar power developers, and investors seeking to promote the growth of the solar power industry in the region.

References

1. Agbakwuru, J. A., Nwaoha, T. C. & Udosoh, N. E. (2023). Application of CRITIC–EDAS-Based Approach in Structural Health Monitoring and Maintenance of Offshore Wind Turbine Systems. Journal of Marine Science and Application, 22(3), 545-555.

2. Akuru, U. B., Onukwube, I. E., Okoro, O. I. & Obe, E. S. (2017). Towards 100% renewable energy in Nigeria. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 71, 943–953.

3. Antonanzas-Torres, F., Antonanzas, J. & Blanco-Fernandez, J. (2021). State-of-the-Art of Mini Grids for Rural Electrification in West Africa. Energies, 14, 990.

4. Ashutosh, A. (2012). Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment Risk Mitigation Strategies for Renewable Energy Project Financing. Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment, 32(2), 9–20.

5. Avik, S. C., Biswas, S., Ahad, M. A. R., Latif, Z., Alghamdi, A., Abosaq, H., & Bairagi, A. K. (2023). Challenges in Blockchain as a Solution for IoT Ecosystem Threats and Access Control: A Survey. arXiv preprint arXiv:2311.15290.

6. Barroco, J., & Herrera, M. (2019). Clearing barriers to project finance for renewable energy in developing countries: A Philippines case study. Energy Policy, 135, 111008.

7. Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Maksimovic, V. (1999). Institutions, financial markets, and firm debt maturity. Journal of financial economics, 54(3), 295-336.

8. Edwards, D. A., Ausiello, D., Salzman, J., Devlin, T., Langer, R., Beddingfield, B. J., Fears, A. C., Doyle-Meyers, L. A., Redmann, R. K., Killeen, S. Z., & Maness, N. J. (2021). Exhaled aerosol increases with COVID-19 infection, age, and obesity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(8), p.e2021830118.

9. Emerson, R. W. (1917). Letters and social aims, 8. Houghton, Mifflin.

10. Falchetta, G., Michoud, B., Hafner, M., & Rother, M. (2022). Harnessing finance for a new era of decentralized electricity access: A review of private investment patterns and emerging business models. Energy Research & Social Science, 90 (2022).

11. Hussain, N., Rigoni, U., & Orij, R. P. (2018). Corporate governance and sustainability performance: Analysis of triple bottom line performance. Journal of business ethics, 149, 411-432.

12. Ighravwe, D. E., & Mashao, D. (2019). Assessment of renewable energy technology financing models in developing countries using sustainability metrics. IEEE 2nd International Conference on Renewable Energy and Power Engineering.

13. Ikejemba, E. C. X., & Schuur, P. C. (2020). The empirical failures of attaining the societal benefits of renewable energy development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Renewable Energy, 162, 1490–1498.

14. IRENA (2020). Solar Power: A Guide to Financing and Development. International Renewable Energy Agency.

15. Kalamova, M. & Kaminker, C., & Johnstone, N. (2011). "Sources of Finance, Investment Policies and Plant Entry in the Renewable Energy Sector," OECD Environment Working Papers 37, OECD Publishing.

16. Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. John Wiley & Sons.

17. Koskela, L., & Howell, G. A. (2002). The underlying theory of project management is obsolete. Paper presented at PMI® Research Conference 2002: Frontiers of Project Management Research and Applications, Seattle, Washington. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

18. Lee, A. J. (2019). U-statistics: Theory and Practice. Routledge.

19. Lee, C. W., & Zhong, J. (2015). Financing and risk management of renewable energy projects with a hybrid bond. Renewable Energy, 75, 779–787.

20. Liu, X., & Zeng, M. (2017). Renewable energy investment risk evaluation model based on system dynamics. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 73(2016), 782–788.

21. Myers, S., & Majluf, N. (1984). Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have. Journal of Financial Economics, 13(2), 187-221.

22. Ng, T. H., & Tao, J. Y. (2016). Bond financing for renewable energy in Asia. Energy Policy.

23. Ogechi, N. O. (2019). Ethnicity, language, and identity in Kenya. Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society, 7(1), 111-135.

24. Ogundari, I. O., & Otuyemi, F. A. (2020). Project planning and control analysis for suburban photovoltaic alternative electric power supply in Southwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 13(1), 31–49.

25. Olabode, S. O., & Akintelu, S. O. (2022). Implication of technological innovation capability and public private partnership initiative for the percentage of the Nigeria population with access to electricity supply. SAU Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 7(1), 221-234.

26. Olutunla, G. T., & Obamuyi, T. M. (2008). An Empirical Analysis of Factors Associated with the Profitability of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria. African Journal of Business Management, 2(11): 195-200.

27. Omojolaibi, J. A. (2016). Financing the alternative: renewable energy in the Nigerian economy’, International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 15 (2), 183–200.

28. Osuji, J. N., & Agbakwuru, J. (2024). Ocean and Coastal Resources Components and their Contributions to Sustainable Development of Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 28(1), 135-146.

29. Oyedepo, S. O., Babalola, O. P., Nwanya, S. C., Kilanko, O., Leramo, R. O., Aworinde, A. K., Adekeye, T., Oyebanji. J. A., Abidakun, A. O., & Agberegha, O. L. (2018). Towards a Sustainable Electricity Supply in Nigeria: The Role of Decentralized Renewable Energy System. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 2(4), 40.

30. Pueyo, A. (2018). What constrains renewable energy investment in Sub-Saharan Africa? A comparison of Kenya and Ghana. World Development, 109, 85–100.

31. Rambo, C. M. (2013). Renewable energy project financing risks in developing countries: Options for Kenya towards the realization of vision 2030. International Journal of Business Finance Management Research, 6 (1), 1-10.

32. Steffen, B. (2018). The importance of project finance for renewable energy projects. Energy Economics, 69, 280–294.

33. Taghizadeh-Hesary, F., Yoshino, N., Yugo Inagaki, Y., & Morgan P. J. (2021). Analyzing the factors influencing the demand and supply of solar modules in Japan – Does financing matter. International Review of Economics & Finance, 74, 1-12.

34. UNEP (2012). Financing renewable energy in developing countries: Drivers and barriers for private finance in sub-Saharan Africa. New York: UNEP Finance Initiative.

35. Waughray, D., & Kerr, T. (2012). The green investment report: The ways and means to unlock private finance for green growth. Retrieved from Green Growth Action Alliance website:

http://www3.wefprum.org/docs/WEF_GreenInvestment_Report_2013.pdf

36. Zhang, D. (2018). Energy Finance: Background, Concept, and Recent Developments. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 54(8), 1687–1692.

Downloads

Published

2025-02-27

How to Cite

Financing Options and Execution of Solar Power Projects in Southwest, Nigeria. (2025). Global Journal of Economic and Finance Research, 2(02), 105-113. https://doi.org/10.55677/GJEFR/04-2025-Vol02E2

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.