The Former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji has revealed that Nigeria wants no less than 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 attaining this objective requires aggressive energy technology, infrastructure upgrades, strategic funding, and a balanced adoption of renewable power.
In line with him, failure to make such investments will solely extend 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 no less than 100,000 megawatts of energy, not simply accessible however put in.
Nnaji confused 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 technology 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.
Prof. Nnaji raised issues over the proposed ban on photo voltaic panel importation, questioning whether or not the nation presently has the capability to fabricate panels at scale.
He said his assist for the thought of home manufacturing, the place he beneficial a transitional interval earlier than implementing any restrictions, noting that such a ban may spur native manufacturing.
He additionally urged the federal government to leverage Nigeria’s plentiful pure gasoline for energy technology, alongside hydropower and photo voltaic power, describing wind power as much less viable within the Nigerian context.
Prof. Nnaji additional addressed challenges throughout the distribution section, significantly the broad geographical protection of some Discos, which span as much as 4 or 5 states. This, he mentioned, makes environment friendly distribution troublesome and discourages focused funding.
He proposed breaking apart massive Discos into smaller, extra manageable franchises, which might enhance operational focus and funding attraction.
He concluded that for Nigeria to draw extra technology corporations (Gencos) and develop its energy infrastructure, Discos should grow to be financially dependable companions able to paying for the facility they obtain.
Just lately, the Federal Authorities accepted 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.
