Hydropower potential of municipal water supply schemes in Osun State: Case study of Okinni Dam, Osogbo, Nigeria

Continuous increase in energy demand has been tied to population increase and improved economic well-being of the people. As the world’s population continues to grow geometrically, energy supply has been a major concern, especially, since the last two decades. Nigeria is no exception to this and it’s even worse affected, because of its lack of adequate planning for its teeming population. From the present predicament of the country, it is obvious that other sources of energy generation mostly renewable - hydro-electric, solar, and wind which are more reliable and environmental friendly be explored as the dependency on the generated power using fossil fuel to the national grid has not helped in anyway. Hence, the need to explore other power alternatives, especially the renewables one. This study was therefore designed to investigate the potential of municipal water supply schemes in Osun State as a means of developing small hydropower plant using Okinni dam as a case study. Field survey was conducted through which key information about Okinni dam was obtained. The dam gives a conversion advantage with its water flow rate ranging between 7.71m3/s and 12.85m3/s based on the season of the year and also a height (head) above ground level of 20m. The collected field parameters were utilised in the standard hydropower equations. The results obtained from the analysis gives a theoretical all year round of 3.1MW of electrical power. Comparing this result with the minimum power demand of 2.1MW and maximum power demand of 3.7MW of the inhabitants of the Okinni town, the Okinni dam services, Ede water works and some residential building at Ede water works, would require a two daily operations whereby the load are carefully selected on 12 hourly bases (Day and Night). This study has thus established the potential and viability of the construction of a small hydropower (SHP) on Okinni dam which will improve the town’s commercial and industrial enterprise; hence, this project is recommended for construction.