NAMA sets to deplore solar panels to boost facilities
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has concluded arrangements to deplore solar panel and batteries to boost its equipment across the airports in the country.
The equipment which is valued at several millions of naira would be deployed to eight locations in Lagos, Calabar, Enugu, Sokoto and four others to reduce dependence on electricity from the national grid.
General Manager, Electro Mechanics, Engr Adebisi Antonio, said as alternative source of power to NAMA’s Instrument Landing Systems(ILSs) across the nation’s airports will be powered by the solar
Anjorin said the equipment was captured in 2016 Budget, stressing that they have commenced installation of the equipment at the Lagos and Kaduna airports.
He further disclosed that the remaining batteries and solar panels are already included in the 2017 budget.
His words: “The batteries are more reliable to give 24 hours higher effectiveness. NAMA has done civil work at the stations and we are commencing installations this week.
The idea is that next year, all our ILS and other essential equipment will be covered by Solar DC Direct.”
“All expenses on generators, maintenance will be reduced drastically including air pollution. The greatest challenge we have is electricity. Our equipment is easily destroyed because of erratic power supply.”
Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering of the agency, NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar told Daily Times that the agency acquired Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) to boost the autonomy of interrupted power supply.
“Once there is light, it guarantees the improvement of the equipment. We are deploying them in other stations. This will stop blind spots in the airspace.”
Umar said the situation of blind spots is caused by constant power outage, stressing that when it happens, communication between pilots and air traffic controllers is limited which he said takes about few minutes before it is restored.
He stated that during this time, communication is very weak in what people termed as blind spots in the airspace.
He noted that this would correct the situation as it would boost and power the equipment for more than 24 hours even when power to the system is lost.
He said Radio Frequency 127.3mhz has an improved range and is working perfectly just as the Radio Frequency 124.7 mhz is also in good condition and both of them are on presently.
