Impact of Climate Variability on Reservoir Based Hydro-Power Generation in Jebba Dam, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined impact of climate variability on reservoir-based hydro-power-generation in Jebba dam, Niger State of Nigeria. Data of rainfall, temperature, evaporation, reservoir inflow and outflow and power output for thirty-one years were obtained from Jebba Hydropower Station [JHP]. The Man-Kendall and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) were used to establish the influence of weather parameters on the reservoir inflow and outflow. Findings showed increased electricity generation during dry season than wet season. The highest annual mean amount of the electricity generated was in 2016 having mean of 689.12mwh, dry season (352.26mwh) and wet season (336.86mwh). Reservoir inflow showed negative trend with severe fluctuations in 1998 (1436.42M3/Sec), 1999 (1581.08M3/Sec) and 2010 (1641.08M3/Sec) with steady increase in 2016 (1556.0042M3/Sec), 2017 (1556.4242M3/Sec) and 2018 (1635.7542M3/Sec). The reservoir outflow pattern showed tremendous and negative trend in fluctuation with increase in 1998 (1421.75M3/Sec) 1999 (1581.58M3/Sec) and 2010 (1641.16M3/Sec) and a steady increase in 2016 (1535.00M3/Sec), 2017 1558.83M3/Sec and 2018 (1632.00M3/Sec). Thus, rainfall and reservoir inflow had strong relationships with the amount of power generated than temperature and evaporation. Therefore, the government should increase the water carrying capacity of the reservoir construction by storing water to be used during dry periods.