Nigeria’S Solar Capacity Hits 28 Megawatts – ECN
Prof Jere Bala, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has revealed that solar electricity generation has reached 28 megawatts.
Bala disclosed this in Abuja, adding that Nigeria had started integrating some of the alternative energy sources, like the penetration of solar energy into energy supply in the country.
“A lot of solar street lights, solar mini grind and in fact, small hydro-power are being developed in this country and had been encouraged.’’
He said between 1980s and 90s, renewable energy was nothing to talk about in Nigeria but after 1989, Sokoto Energy Research Centre under the commission developed a mini grid.
Bala said a survey conducted in 1989 had showed that the use of solar energy began with less 300 KW mainly for water pumping and other applications.
“Our current estimate was put at about 28 MW of the dispenser solar installation and there are many more plants to be grid connected through the Nigeria/Germany partnership and other private concerns.’’
The D-G said the major sources of energy in Nigeria was petroleum, coal, fuel wood (biomass traditionally energy sources) and largely hydro.
He said through the introduction of the National Energy Policy, Nigeria had been able to diversify the energy source for National Energy Security, to provide the Renewable Energy Master Plan.
He said the master plan would be promoted, using the sun as source of energy and heat, wind for mechanical and electrical energy and biomass for the production of biofuel.
The D-G said the commission had created awareness on renewable energy since its establishment in 1989 and people were aware of an alternative source of energy.
“We will continue to produce these strategic plans and we will need them in a long time if our economy is to grow and to be within the 20 largest economies in the world.
“We have made the study in the commission and it has been ultilised in the vision 20:2020 and also in the production of National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.
“We will continue to produce this plan until Nigeria becomes energy secured and also derived economic benefits from the energy resources,’’ he said.
