Nigeria wants 100,000MW put in capability to fulfill power demand – Former Minister Barth Nnaji
The Former Minister of Energy, Professor Barth Nnaji has revealed that Nigeria wants at the least 100,000 megawatts of put in energy capability to fulfill its power calls for.
Nnaji disclosed this throughout an interview on The Morning Present on Come up TV, emphasizing that reaching this purpose requires aggressive energy era, infrastructure upgrades, strategic funding, and a balanced adoption of renewable power.
In accordance with him, failure to make such investments will solely lengthen points like load shedding.
“Distribution corporations should put money into substations to make sure environment friendly energy distribution. With out such investments, the nation will proceed to expertise load shedding.
He added: “We’d like at the least 100,000 megawatts of energy, not simply obtainable however put in.
Nnaji careworn the necessity for a transparent, centered technique that prioritizes energy availability and strengthens the nation’s transmission and distribution networks.
He famous that Nigeria’s put in capability is inadequate for its rising inhabitants and economic system, urging the Built-in Nationwide Electrical energy Coverage (INEP) to prioritize sooner energy era and infrastructure upgrades.
He additionally highlighted the necessity for distribution corporations (Discos) to decide to infrastructure funding, referencing efforts in Aba, the place 90 substations had been established to spice up energy supply.
Renewable power and photo voltaic panel importation considerations
Prof. Nnaji raised considerations over the proposed ban on photo voltaic panel importation, questioning whether or not the nation at the moment has the capability to fabricate panels at scale.
He acknowledged his help for the thought of home manufacturing, the place he advisable a transitional interval earlier than implementing any restrictions, noting that such a ban may spur native production.
He additionally urged the federal government to leverage Nigeria’s plentiful pure fuel for energy era, alongside hydropower and photo voltaic power, describing wind power as much less viable within the Nigerian context.
Challenges confronted
Prof. Nnaji additional addressed challenges inside the distribution section, significantly the broad geographical protection of some Discos, which span as much as 4 or 5 states. This, he stated, makes environment friendly distribution troublesome and discourages focused funding.
He proposed breaking apart giant Discos into smaller, extra manageable franchises, which might enhance operational focus and funding enchantment.
He concluded that for Nigeria to draw extra era corporations (Gencos) and develop its energy infrastructure, Discos should develop into financially dependable companions able to paying for the ability they obtain.
What it’s best to know
Lately, the Federal Authorities authorised the Nationwide Built-in Electrical energy Coverage (NIEP), a landmark blueprint poised to reshape Nigeria’s energy panorama, improve sector governance, and drive funding throughout the electrical energy worth chain.
- In April, Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Personal Enterprise (CPPE), warned that Nigeria’s power disaster may deepen if the federal government proceeds with its proposed ban on photo voltaic panel imports, citing the nation’s restricted native production capability as a serious concern.
- Dr Muda Yusuf acknowledged {that a} ban on the importation of photo voltaic panels within the face of obviously insufficient home production capability would create extra issues for the nation.
