FG mulls use of nuclear, geothermal energy to improve power
Abubakar Bwari, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, said the government Federal Government is considering the safe use of nuclear and geothermal energy to improve power supply in the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the Nigerian Mining and Geo-sciences Society (NMGS) and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) 2018 discourse series, the minister stressed the need for an improved electricity distribution if Nigeria must develop.
He stated that other African countries had already commenced research on geothermal energy, urging Nigeria to follow suit to develop a robust approach to acquiring new energy source.
He noted that the Geothermal ecosystem will not only improve power supply but will also offer opportunities in geo-tourism as exemplified by the warm springs which have been largely underdeveloped.
He also informed that the Nigerian government has been interfacing with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Agency towards advancing the safe use of nuclear energy.
He said “I am aware that some countries, even our sister African Countries, already have a head start in terms of research on geothermal energy.
“Information available shows that Kenya for instance, has achieved about 1000mw of energy from geothermal energy. Nigeria can therefore take a cue from this and develop a robust approach to acquiring this new energy resource.
“Indeed, sourcing for and characterizing the coal resources in Nigeria have become the basis for policy direction regarding this initiative. We have also been interfacing with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Agency towards advancing the safe use of nuclear energy.
“In the Ministry of Mines and Steel development roadmap, we have specifically focused on the exploration of energy minerals including coal, bitumen and uranium out of the growing list of 44 mineral types that we have in Nigeria.
He further said that the Ministry of Mines and Steel being a critical player in advancing alternative supply of energy, will closely with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in the coal to power programme.