Operators advocate investment in smarter solutions to resolve electricity challenges
Operators in the power sector have reiterated the need to address the lingering electricity challenges in the country by encouraging investment in economically viable smarter power solutions.
They observed that electricity accounts for almost 30 to 40 percent of the cost of manufacturing production as it plays a significant role in the survival of any business in Nigeria at the moment.
Pulak Sen, Managing Director, Power Gas said that Nigeria power sector is yet to address issues of the availability of gas and the current limitations of the gas infrastructure.
Sen opine that once these major issues are addressed, the Nigeria’s power sector industry would be better for it.
In his presentation at a power sector event jointly organised by Power Gas teams and Cummins in Lagos, Sen disclosed that private companies like Power Gas as part of its contribution to smarter solution to the power problem have established its compression plants at key strategic locations where they compress the piped natural gas and transport it in bulk quantities to power plants across the South, South east and South- West regions of Nigeria.
He observes that not only is the cost of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) lower than Diesel but CNG is also much more environmental friendly.
He further assured that Cummins and Power gas companies are committed to creating opportunities in the future where groups from various backgrounds can come together and address power issues for immediately executable solutions.
Daniele Sechi, General Manager, Cummins Power Generation Nigeria in his presentation detailed the benefits of dedicated power plants that are installed, owned and operated by Cummins, which effectively allows customers to “fix their cost of power” over a long period of time.
According Sechi, the supply and quality of electricity through Cummins Gas Generators is highly robust and reliable. Cummins Energy Solutions Nigeria provides the operation, maintenance and after-market support for all Cummins Gas Plants in Nigeria.
With over 200 engineers in Nigeria, the service offered allows for 24/7 operations to its customers, a fact that was backed up and acknowledged by the existing customers of Cummins and Power Gas present at the event.
It was also noted that in certain cases the tariff, Naira per unit (N/kWh), offered by Cummins is highly competitive to the tariff end users currently pay to the Distribution Companies for their electricity bills, however with Cummins customers are guaranteed high quality, uninterrupted power 24/7.
The aim of the event was to reconnect with existing customers and other attendees from the Nigerian Manufacturing sector to better understand their needs. One of the key points raised was that the Distribution Companies of Nigeria (DISCos) are expected to increase the cost of electricity in the near future.
KELECHI EWUZIE