Varsity teacher advocates renewable energy adoption, urges regulation

A university teacher, Prof. Gwadangaj Danshehu, has advocated the adoption of the renewable energy (RE) as the alternative to the epileptic power supply in the country.

Danshehu, who is of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Design, Othman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, also called on the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to set up the machinery to ensure its quality control.

He stated these in Abuja Thursday during the 2020 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Builders Conference and Annual General Meeting with the theme: “Emerging Opportunities in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Sector in Nigeria.”

According to him, with over 200 million people, Nigeria’s total capacity for electricity generation is 14,308 Mega Watts (MW).

“However, only 6,158MW are operational; of these, only between 4000MW and 5500MW were actually generated for consumption. It is glaring that we need to focus on RE as an alternative option. We have the potential for RE and the 37 universities and Teaching Hospital in the six geopolitical zones are at various levels developing Solar Thermal Systems, but we are not there yet.

“However, SON should come in to checkmate the solar panels and other imported equipment because some will write that it is 80W but in truth it is less than 50W. Therefore, SON must step up to ensure that the quality of these things is regulated,” he said.

He suggested that there was need to strengthen human and infrastructural capacities on RE and adoption of practical financial and fiscal incentives.

Also speaking, the vice-chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Dr. Samson Opaluwah, advised builders and members of the Institute to add value to the industry.

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