Stakeholders in the renewable energy sector have disclosed that the daily power generation of 4000 -5000MW is grossly inadequate for the over 200 million Nigerians.
The stakeholders who spoke recently in Abuja during the launching of the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Associations–Alliance (REEA-A), however, advocated the adoption of renewable energy to complement the daily power generation.
Speaking, the Chairman, Ministerial Task Force on Power, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo, disclosed that Nigeria will achieve the projected 63,000 MW generation in 2030 if it expands the renewable energy power sector.
Sambo, who is also the Chairman of Board of Trustees of REEA-A, said: ” In Nigeria today, the major economic sectors of industry, transport, services and households are greatly restrained from the expected growth due to the grossly inadequate energy supplies. Electrical power of 4,000 – 5,000 MW is grossly inadequate for a population of more than 200 Million people.
“Recent energy demand projections show that for a GDP growth rate of 6%, the required electrical power will be about 31,000 MW in 2020; 63,000 MW in 2030; and 100,000 MW in 2040.
“This can be achieved by not only significant expansion of the energy mix for electricity generation from the current mix of gas and hydro to also include coal, nuclear, solar, wind and biofuels but can indeed be attained by renewable energy power technologies alone.
“In view of the current grid limitations much of the new generations will have to be used on an off-grid basis. It is possible for only solar PV to produce 11,575 MW in 2030; 60,310 MW in 2040 and 99,658 MW in 2050”.
He, however, called for a comprehensive and integrated national energy policy that would provide proper direction to the development of the entire energy sector.
“There is need, therefore, for a comprehensive and integrated national energy policy so as to provide proper direction to the development of the entire energy sector. Furthermore, such a document will assist the international investing community in appreciating the thrust of the government on energy matters.
In his contributions, the Chairman, Steering Committee of REEA-A, Dr Immadudden Talba, said renewable energy is the best way to improve the country’s power supply.
He appealed to the Federal Government to harmonise all the various policies on renewable energy to a view to strengthening it.
Talba, who said there was no government’s agency responsible for the regulation of the renewable energy sector, called for its adequate funding.
However, Director of Renewable Energy and Rural Power Access in the Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. Farouk Yabo, who represented the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, on the occasion, though admitted that there are many challenges confronting the country’s power sector, noted that significant progress had been recorded in the sector.
According to him, the country’s power generation had increased greatly, saying that on 7th January, 2021, the highest power generation of 115,gigawatt per hour was recorded.
