Stakeholders want government to show commitment on energy mix policy

The need for Nigerian government to diversified her energy mix have again been emphasised as operators in the power industry say that is the only way the country can have a reasonable and sustainable energy that would help her development.

According to the stakeholders any country that depends on one source of energy would forever remains under-developed and retrogressive.

Tonye Cole, a co – founder of Sahara group owners of Egbin Power plc said that the country should diversify by harnessing her coal, biomass resources, sun and wind where ever possible so that the country can have a robust energy development.

He urged the Federal Government to make policies that would make it easy for investors to invest in different areas of the energy mix, especially renewable and provide clear cut road map on how they can make their returns without difficulties.  He however commended the government for trying to work towards an energy mix policy, saying that it is a step in the right direction.  “This is the right way to go”.

He noted that the efforts government is making currently in this regards might be futile unless the rate at which energy is being stolen across the country is checked.

The co-founder of Sahara Energy group stated that the stealing of energy must stop if the downstream of the power sector must develop. He decried the situation whereby some workers of Electricity Distribution Companies (Disco) in conjunction with some members of the public bypass meters and transformers to steal electricity.  He described the situation as very bad, saying this will certainly hinder the growth of the industry.

“As long as we have people who are consistently interested in compromising the downstream aspect of the electricity we would always have problems. We must stop it,” he said.

On the consistent complaints about low tariff by the Discos, he said there is the need for the government to educate the populace on the need to increase tariff so that they would buy into the idea.

The consumers of electricity he said must be educated enough about the change in policy so as to know what is going to happen and the benefit for them at the end of the day if the tariff is increased.

Akachukwu  Okafor, founder, and lead consultant at Change Partners International, an energy, environment and sustainability consultancy firm said although Nigeria’s installed capacity is estimated at around 13,000 MW, only half of it is operational, and a little below 5,000 MW is generated and reaches consumers on the grid.

He said restricted generation/output has been blamed on gas supply problems, water shortages, grid constraints and breakdowns.

“With a current supply of130kWh per capita, Nigeria is lagging well behind other developing nations in terms of grid based electricity consumption. Based on the country’s GDP and global trends, electricity consumption should be four to five times higher than it is today. For example, Ghana’s per capita consumption of360kWh is 2.9 times higher than that of Nigeria, and South Africa’s (4,000kWh) is 31 times higher”.

Primary energy consumption in Nigeria he said is largely satisfied by traditional biomass and waste (typically consisting of wood, charcoal, manure, and crop residues) and accounts for 74% of the energy mix. He said this high share represents the use of biomass to meet off-grid heating and cooking needs, mainly in rural areas.

As for renewable energy sources, Nigeria has stand-alone  solar energy projects, which do not produce considerable electricity and a wind project that is yet to start generation, he said.

He stated that the insufficient energy generation and inadequate transmission and distribution infrastructure is a great obstacle for economic growth and industry development. Energy supply shortage have an adverse effect on the standard of living of the citizens.

“Realising the great economic risks that come with relying heavy on only a few sources of energy, the Nigerian government took a decision to add nuclear power to diversify the energy mix and generate reliable and affordable electricity.

He said Nigeria wants to embark on the path of dynamic development it needs more than 60,000 MW to ensure sustainable growth.

“The Nigerian government aims to electrify at least 80% of its population by the year 2035, and is investing in nuclear energy to help meet this target.

In line with this target, Nigeria plans to install 4,000 MW of nuclear power by themid-2030s to guarantee sustainable base load energy generation. The development of nuclear power in Nigeria is based on a clear and strategic vision -to add an environmentally friendly and sustainable source of energy that can guarantee affordable and reliable energy generation for decades”, he said.

Olusola Bello