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Tag: Energy

  • Sahara urges investments in alternative energy

    Sahara urges investments in alternative energy

    The attainment of affordable energy through investments in alternative sources will enhance socio-economic growth in rural communities across the world by 2030,  Executive Director, Sahara Group Mr. Tonye Cole, has said at a meeting dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the just concluded 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

    Cole who represented Sahara Group – a leading African Energy, Power and Infrastructure Conglomerate – on the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F),  told delegates that governments in developing nations need to explore more partnership platforms with the private sector in the quest for alternative energy sources.

    The meeting, which focused on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) was attended by President of the World Bank, His Excellency (H.E.) Mr. Jim Yong Kim, Foreign Minister of Denmark, H.E Mr. Kristian Jensen, Prime Minister of Benin, H.E Mr. Lionel Zinsou, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, H.E Mr. Neven Mimica and President of the African Development Bank, H.E Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others.

    “Substantial investments are required to achieve affordable and sustainable energy in developing nations. Wind and solar energy are possible options that can be harnessed in rural communities where consumption is relatively low. With the right strategy and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders, we will be setting solid foundations for deploying alternative energy sources to transform lives and small businesses for disadvantaged communities across the globe,” Cole said.

    Cole said governments and power companies need to collaborate on sensitising the populace on the value chain of the power sector to ensure support for policies as well as address incidences of energy losses and theft that disrupt energy availability in developing nations.

    Delegates at the meeting were unanimous in urging the development of location specific action plans as the world seeks to achieve SDG 7. World Bank President, Kim said following its collaboration with the UN on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the World Bank was excited about SDG 7 and further partnership with the private sector in a bid to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all by 2030.

    Adesina urged African nations to take ownership of the process of taking affordable energy to rural communities, adding that his tenure at the ADB would focus on promoting sustainability and maximum impact for all interventions midwifed by the institution.

    Sahara Group has among other initiatives and collaborations, been promoting alternative energy sources through the “Sahara Light Up Nigeria Challenge,” a capacity building competition that seeks to produce inventions that support renewable, alternative and sustainable sources of power supply. The competition, which the company hosts through Sahara Foundation, inspires students of higher institutions of learning across Nigeria to explore opportunities for achieving sustainable power supply within their environment.  Sahara is exploring opportunities of replicating the project across other locations where it operates.

    In 2015, some students from the winning institution, Kaduna Polytechnic, invented a self-running hydro-power system that runs solely on the kinetic energy of water. The energy produced is stored in a 75-litre enclosed water tank that houses a pump and other materials required to drive generation of electricity. The technology is made from locally modified and recycled parts to ensure that it is environmentally friendly.

  • Sahara urges investment in alternative energy

    The attainment of affordable energy through investments in alternative sources will enhance socio-economic growth in rural communities across the globe by 2030, Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole has said.

    He spoke  at a meeting dedicated to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the just concluded 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

    Cole who represented Sahara Group – a leading African Energy, Power and Infrastructure Conglomerate – on the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F), told delegates that governments in developing nations need to explore more partnership platforms with the private sector in the quest for alternative energy sources.

    The meeting, which focused on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) was attended by President of the World Bank,  Mr. Jim Yong Kim, Foreign Minister of Denmark,  Mr. Kristian Jensen, Prime Minister of Benin,  Mr. Lionel Zinsou, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica and President of the African Development Bank,  Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others.

    “Substantial investments are required to achieve affordable and sustainable energy in developing nations. Wind and solar energy are possible options that can be harnessed in rural communities where consumption is relatively low. With the right strategy and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders, we will be setting solid foundations for deploying alternative energy sources to transform lives and small businesses for disadvantaged communities across the globe,” Cole said.

    Cole said governments and power companies need to collaborate on sensitising the populace on the value chain of the power sector to ensure support for policies as well as address incidences of energy losses and theft that disrupt energy availability in developing nations.

    Delegates at the meeting were unanimous in urging the development of location specific action plans as the world seeks to achieve SDG 7. World Bank President, Kim said following its collaboration with the UN on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the World Bank was excited about SDG 7 and further partnership with the private sector in a bid to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all by 2030.

    Adesina urged African nations to take ownership of the process of taking affordable energy to rural communities, adding that his tenure at the ADB would focus on promoting sustainability and maximum impact for all interventions midwifed by the institution.

    Sahara Group has among other initiatives and collaborations, been promoting alternative energy sources through the “Sahara Light Up Nigeria Challenge,” a capacity building competition that seeks to produce inventions that support renewable, alternative and sustainable sources of power supply.

    The competition, which the company hosts through Sahara Foundation, inspires students of higher institutions of learning across Nigeria to explore opportunities for achieving sustainable power supply within their environment.  Sahara is exploring opportunities of replicating the project across other locations where it operates.

    In 2015, some students from the winning institution, Kaduna Polytechnic, invented a self-running hydro-power system that runs solely on the kinetic energy of water. The energy produced is stored in a 75-litre enclosed water tank that houses a pump and other materials required to drive generation of electricity. The technology is made from locally modified and recycled parts to ensure that it is environmentally friendly. The development of this project has brought about an alternative to electricity generation for small businesses, a health care centre and a school within the impact area of the project.

  • Energy sector leads wealth creation, industrialisation

    Energy sector leads wealth creation, industrialisation

    Despite the challenges facing the energy sector over the past decades, it still remains the nation’s cash cow, holding the key to unlocking the potentials that will make the country attain its aspiration of becoming one of the world’s 20 industrialised economies, writes EMEKA UGWUANYI.

    Nigeria has made tremendous progress in the energy sector over the past 55 years despite the challenges in the sector.  Starting from a production of 5,100 barrels of oil per day (bpd) in 1958, its current production stands at over two million bpd. Nigeria still leads in hydrocarbon development and remains the oil and gas hub in the Gulf of Guinea.

    The nation’s oil output would have reached three million barrels, with reserves reaching 40 billion barrels if not for security challenges including militancy and issues of kidnapping, oil theft, pipeline vandalism and insurgency, as well as some constraining policies.

    The oil and gas industry hitherto controlled by foreigners has gradually started to shift position. Indigenous firms and operators are increasingly participating in exploration and production (E&P) and in the service sector.

    The divestment of oil blocks by the multinational oil firms such as Shell and Chevron, and the marginal field policy boosted local players’ equity in the E&P sector substantially. Indigenous stakes in the upstream are growing; the service sector is reasonably controlled by the locals, which is a development that should be encouraged.

    Over the past five decades, over 20 oil fields have been divested by the international oil companies (IOCs), some marginal fields have been re-streamed, and this enhanced the contribution of indigenous firms to the nation’s total daily oil production, rising from zero to about 20 per cent now. In the downstream, over 95 per cent of the sector is controlled by Nigerians.

    Because Nigeria produces high value, low sulphur content, light crude oils – Antan Blend, Bonny Light, Bonny Medium, Brass Blend, Escravos Light, Forcados Blend, IMA, Odudu Blend, Pennington Light, Qua-Iboe Light and Ukpokiti, its oil is the toast of refineries, despite the current lull in the international price of crude. To derive maximum value from the nation’s oil, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu said the Corporation will strive to secure long term contracts for the crude. According to him, the reason Nigeria’s crude sometimes doesn’t see buyers is because it is contractors that lift the oil and they (contractors) don’t have already secured buyers.

    However,  to address some of the sectoral issues, the Federal Government must tackle the contentious provisions in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) including part of the fiscal regime, which is unacceptable to the multinational oil firms, and the 10 per cent Petroleum Host Communities Fund, which is meant for the development of oil producing communities, which Northern legislators vehemently opposed. These among others, are some of what have been stalling the passage of the bill believed to be the solution to some of the oil industry’s woes.

    Some  areas  that need urgent attention and remedy include reduction of contracting period for projects. The contract cycle in Nigeria is among the longest in the world. Policies that will support renewed aggressive exploration should be encouraged without delay. Oil reserves and output are declining and need to be replaced. Natural gas exploitation and utilisation especially in the area of improving domestic consumption, and elimination of gas flaring need to be fast-tracked. There is also need to properly position the NNPC  as a true national oil firm that can effectively compete with its contemporaries across the globe.

    The oil and gas industry cankerworms including oil theft and pipeline vandalism, massive importation of refined products and the attendant subsidies, and fuel scarcity need urgent solution. Having been in oil exploration and production in the past 55 years, Nigeria is supposed to be a net exporter of refined petroleum products but today, it is the only country in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that imports products for domestic consumption.

    For the first since its establishment, the NNPC is undergoing drastic reforms to be positioned as an independent and profitable enterprise that can have capacity to borrow money from banks to run its operation. The Corporation chief Kachikwu has started sanitizing it, to create sustainable processes, reduce the size of the workforce and make it efficient, retire the aged members of staff and hire the younger energetic ones.

    To enthrone transparency in the Corporation, Kachikwu said he would bring back the auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCooper to fully audit NNPC, as a step to making its books clear and reliable.

    The gas sector is also being developed impressively. Previously all the associated gas was flared for lack of storage and utilization, but today, operators look for non-associated gas assets. The volume of flared gas has been significantly reduced. Many industrial concerns in Nigeria have switched to natural gas-as fuel to power their machineries for power generation to run their operations.

     

    Nigerian Content Act

     

    To substantially increase indigenous participation, ownership and control of assets in the upstream, the Federal Government passed the Nigerian (local) content into law in 2010. Many indigenous firms have been empowered through the Act and lots of capacities and capabilities have been developed by Nigerians.

    Because access to funds constitutes a major challenge to indigenous players in the oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) that foresees the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, created the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF). The Fund as at the end of April, was above $540 million, and the Board said it is gradually growing to reach $700 million at the end of December this year.

    The Fund started with only $50 million in 2010. “The projected growth chart was that by 2011, it would rise to $70 million and $150 million by 2012 and to $350 million by 2013 while we were looking at $450 million and $700 million by end of 2014 and 2015 respectively.

    “Considering the current growth potentials of the Fund, we expect a continuous increase in its size and its capacity to attract other sources of funds both locally and internationally to support Nigerian oil and gas content development,” the Board said.

    The Fund, according to the Board could have helped a lot of Nigerian firms if not because of the challenges encountered at its formative year. Banks were not willing to lend under the programme because some bankers demonstrated limited understanding of oil and gas business and the peculiarities; therefore, they gave all manner of conditions that could not be met by the emerging and growing Nigerian companies. This resulted in consistent delays in concluding transactions and often stalled some applications, but the story has changed today, the Board added.

     

    Power

     

    The power sector has undergone series of transformations and reforms but with little results. Over N5 trillion is estimated to have been spent on Nigeria’s power sector in the last 16 years. This figure includes expenditures on the defunct national utility, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) before it was unbundled into 18 successor companies – six generation, one transmission and 11 distribution companies.

    Following the inefficiency of the PHCN and near total blackout in the nation, the Federal Government created the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), which is supervised by a special purpose vehicle, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited. The NDPHC was created to fast-track the attainment of stable power supply in the country when all efforts, financially and technically pumped into the PHCN to make it efficient failed. The PHCN formerly the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was ranked as one of the most corrupt agencies.

    The NIPP programme was conceived in 2004 and the NDPHC created in 2005. The project was also enmeshed in alleged that $16 billion embezzlement and was also engulfed in controversy and litigation because of the alleged unexplained utilization of the fund. In view of those issues surrounding the project, the government in power suspended the NIPP programme dismissing it as huge fraud and drainpipe but after two years, the suspension was lifted and the government continued with the project.

    Following the alleged outrageous corruption in PHCN, the Federal Government began a process of privatisation of the power sector. The Federal Government on November 1, 2013, ceded 60 per cent equity of the distribution companies to the private sector, and 100 percent equity of some of the generation plants to the private sector. The privatisation was considered the most outstanding achievement of the government in recent time and a major milestone, by industry experts. The privatisation marked a gradual but total handover of the sector to the private sector. The 18 successor companies unbundled from the defunct PHCN have all been privatised except for the transmission company, which hopefully will be privatised with time.

    However, the Federal Government also secured funds for the power sector from different international development organisations and companies to develop the entire value chain of the power sector. For instance, the development of some projects such as the Zungeru hydro electric power plant with installed capacity 700Mw was funded by such funds. The Federal Government in 2012 spent a total $377,723,701.31 plus ¥3,701,664,848,66 plus N44,007,398,398.00 equivalent to N162,990,364,379.30 to implement the project.

    The Exim Bank of China shouldered 75 per cent of the project while the counterpart funding of $309 million was kept with the Ministry of Power. The project was being implemented by a Chinese consortium, CNEEC-Sino Hydro.

    The Kashambilla hydro dam has reached about 95 percent completion and the construction of the Mambilla hydro dam is on course. The plant is targeted to generate 3,000Mw.

    For renewable energy, there is an inter-governmental organisation: International Renewable Agency (IRENA) supporting countries in development of sustainable energy future. Besides budgetary allocations, interventions by different development organisations such as the European Union, JICA and GIZ directly undertake the projects they choose to work on. Last year, several supports from bilateral partners in form of loans such as $700million from the World Bank, $200million from JICA, $370million from African Development Bank, $500million from EXIM China and $1billion from Contractor financed Turkey Projects flowed in into the power sector development.

    The African Development Bank also released a loan of $100 million to Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for critical transmission projects. Last year, it was estimated that the TCN required about US$3.7billion to increase power transmission capacity, make the network more stable and reliable, and improve efficiency of electric power supply by reducing transmission technical losses.

    The National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) programme has also seen the completion of 10 midsized power plants, which were being privatised before the privatisation process was stalled. The 10 power plants include Alaoji, Ihovbor,  Egbema, Gbarain, Calabar, Geregu, Ogorode, Olorunsogo, Omoku,  and Omotosho.

    The NIPP projects are funded from the excess crude account, with the Federal Government contributing 47 per cent of the funds, while the 36 state governments contribute 35 per cent and the 774 local governments 18 per cent. As at May this year, about $11.1 billion has been committed to the project,

    The introduction of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), helped to boost power generation, transmission and distribution. Currently, power output stands at above 4,600 megawatts (Mw), though inadequate but a huge improvement over about 2,000Mw a few years ago.

  • Sahara urges investment in alternative energy

    The attainment of affordable energy through investments in alternative sources will enhance socio-economic growth in rural communities across the globe by 2030, Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole has said.

    He spoke  at a meeting dedicated to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the just concluded 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

    Cole who represented Sahara Group – a leading African Energy, Power and Infrastructure Conglomerate – on the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F), told delegates that governments in developing nations need to explore more partnership platforms with the private sector in the quest for alternative energy sources.

    The meeting, which focused on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) was attended by President of the World Bank,  Mr. Jim Yong Kim, Foreign Minister of Denmark,  Mr. Kristian Jensen, Prime Minister of Benin,  Mr. Lionel Zinsou, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica and President of the African Development Bank,  Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others.

    “Substantial investments are required to achieve affordable and sustainable energy in developing nations. Wind and solar energy are possible options that can be harnessed in rural communities where consumption is relatively low. With the right strategy and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders, we will be setting solid foundations for deploying alternative energy sources to transform lives and small businesses for disadvantaged communities across the globe,” Cole said.

    Cole said governments and power companies need to collaborate on sensitising the populace on the value chain of the power sector to ensure support for policies as well as address incidences of energy losses and theft that disrupt energy availability in developing nations.

    Delegates at the meeting were unanimous in urging the development of location specific action plans as the world seeks to achieve SDG 7. World Bank President, Kim said following its collaboration with the UN on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the World Bank was excited about SDG 7 and further partnership with the private sector in a bid to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all by 2030.

    Adesina urged African nations to take ownership of the process of taking affordable energy to rural communities, adding that his tenure at the ADB would focus on promoting sustainability and maximum impact for all interventions midwifed by the institution.

    Sahara Group has among other initiatives and collaborations, been promoting alternative energy sources through the “Sahara Light Up Nigeria Challenge,” a capacity building competition that seeks to produce inventions that support renewable, alternative and sustainable sources of power supply.

  • ‘Agric waste’ll address energy shortage’

    Nigeria has great potential to develop bio-gas from agricultural and animal waste, the Deputy Director, Directorate of General Management, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), Dr. Ademola Adeyemo, has said.

    In an interview, he said though agricultural waste is a source of pollution, it can be converted to biogas to generate electricity, adding that it will countries that are seeking new sources to replace or supplement traditional fossil energy sources.

    He said millions of households in rural areas should be encouraged to acquire biogas digesters that convert waste into clean-burning fuel for cooking.

    According to him, bio-gas technology convert organic waste into bio-gas to reduce the greenhouse effect, wipe out diseases at breeding farms, and create a clean energy source for cooking, lighting, and generating electricity.

    He said bio-gas is an indispensable factor in agricultural production as it reduces pollution.

    In view of the ever-increasing cost of conventional energy source, and the worsening rural and urban ecological problem of pollution resulting from improper waste disposal and management.

    He urged the  government to  adopt biogas technology to generate  additional  power sources.

    He called on the government to support farmers to use bio-gas from animal waste to generate energy.

    He expressed concerns that the country lacks strategies and policies for bio-gas development, calling on the government to map out a strategy for bio-gas development.

    Recently, the  Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan  inaugurated its new biogas project at Apete Onidoko farming village in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, calling on the Federal Government and other tiers of government to replicate the project across the country.

    Director, IAR&T, Prof James Adediran, said the benefits of biogas are limitless, and that it could be used in the farms, in the homes, in institutions and also at abattoirs, among others.

  • ‘Why Nigeria cannot use renewable energy’

    The Director-General, National Power Training  Institute of Nigeria(NAPTIN), Engineer Rueben Okeke and the Managing Director, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, have said Nigeria cannot get the required volume of  electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, coal, biomass and wind.

    They said solar, coal, and biomass cannot generate megawatts of electricity that can meet the power demands of the 170 million Nigerians. They spoke to The Nation at different fora. Okeke said the three renewable energy sources put together cannot generate one third of electricity that either hydro or thermal would provide.

    He said the money, which the government would spend in providing 10 or 20 megawatts (Mw) of electricity from solar, biomass, wind or coal can generate an appreciable number of megawatts when hydro or thermal form of generation is used.

    He said the country is not ripe for renewable energy, urging the government and other investors to concentrate on hydro and gas powered plants for growth. He said it is impossible to grow the economy with  renewable energy, arguing that conventional sources of energy is the best and widely acceptable means of generating electricity globally.

    Okeke said the country boasts of 70 per cent gas power, and 30 per cent hydro electricity, advising that the two should be developed to meet the growing energy needs of the populace.

    Ajifowobaje also said solar, biomass and coal provide insignificant quantum of electricity megawatts, and as such, cannot meet the needs of the masses.

  • APC promises radical means to meet energy needs

    APC promises radical means to meet energy needs

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the ruling party would use “radical means” to fulfill its promises on power to Nigerians, rather than follow the conventional methods.

    Its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, spoke in Abuja while addressing stakeholders in the energy sector at a one-day electricity market conference organised by Stratex pro.

    “ One of the promises APC made to the electorate was that it would stabilise power in Nigeria.

    “Nigerians would judge APC government in the 2019 general election on the level of power stability in the country.

    “To guarantee that APC fulfills this promise, it has to think out of the box to ensure that this promise is fulfilled, otherwise it would not be able to face the electorate in the next election,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said the Federal Government would use solar energy as a means to ensure that Nigerians got adequate power.

    According to him, APC would use the small-scale method of power generation and encourage small-scale power investors to invest in the industry.

    He said if government could encourage 20 investors to invest one megawatt per person, this would amount to 20 megawatts and it would increase the quantum of power.

    Mohammed explained that the old method of waiting for five or six years to build Hydro or Thermal plants would not allow APC to fulfill its promise of stable power.

    He explained that there were two things working for APC.

    The party spokesman said although APC had not done anything on power since it took over, yet power had stabilised.

    He said if APC could increase and stablise the power situation, it would be easy to achieve its promise of creating jobs.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali, called on the Federal Government to assist the investors on solar power by getting access to land from state governments.

    He said many investors, who wanted to invest on solar energy, found it difficult to acquire land and C of O from state governments.

    According to him, much was done by the Federal Government to develop the power industry.

    He listed Zungeru Hydro Power Station that would produce 700 MW and Mambilla Hydro Power Plant that would also produce 3,500 MW as some of the plants government was building.

    Igali explained that the major challenges facing power production in Nigeria were the North and South loops, which had not been fixed.

  • Labour slams Energy Commission for anti-labour practices

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) said it has concluded arrangements to picket the offices of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) nationwide over unfair labour practices and gross insensitivity to the welfare of its employees.

    Speaking with reporters, the Secretary-General of the union, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, said the anti-labour disposition of the management of the commission had reached a ridiculous level, with the head of the organisation trampling on the rights of workers with impunity.

    The union accused ECN management of playing hide-and-seek on serious labour issues that could snowball into serious industrial crisis.

    “The scenario on ground now is that the Director-General of the Commission, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, believes he is too big to hold meetings with the workers’ representatives to discuss welfare issues affecting members.

    “The general public will be amazed to know that the ECN is now a theatre for all sorts of anti-labour practices. There are cases of directors in the commission who have been functioning in acting capacity for seven years without confirmation. Instead of confirming the appointment of these competent and qualified personnel in the commission, the management preferred to frustrate them out of service through intimidation and harassment,” the union said..

    Lawal said union officials are not spared of the rod, as they are posted out of the headquarters on flimsy excuses contrary to the provisions of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 on Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

    The ASCSN said the commission is now known for blatant breach of procurement rules and procedures in all its business transactions and that would explain why it is failing in discharging its primary and core responsibility of strategic planning and coordination of national policies in the energy sector.

    Lawal also lamented that all efforts by the workers’ representatives to get the management of the Commission to a dialogue table to address the avalanche of labour issues affecting its members had been futile.

    “The DG, Prof. Bala is now operating as an emperor. He has conquered the entire Energy Commission territory. He now sees the commission as his personal property,” the union emphasised.

    The ASCSN vowed to maintain the momentum until the DG meets with the union to resolve all outstanding labour issues affecting its members in line with international labour best practices.

    Efforts to get reaction from ECN officials did not yield any result as none of them pick calls.

  • Sahara’s project produces alternative energy

    Young inventors at the second edition of the ‘Sahara Light Up Nigeria Challenge’ in Lagos, have proffered alternative and renewable energy sources that have the potential to enhance eco-friendly and sustainable electricity supply in Nigeria.

    The competition, a yearly event hosted by Sahara in partnership with ENACTUS Nigeria, seeks to inspire students of tertiary institutions across the nation to explore opportunities for achieving sustainable power supply within their environment. It also serves as Sahara’s contribution to the growth of the Power sector where it has affiliates in the generation and distribution sectors through the Sahara Power Group.

    The contest involved the development of simple power models that can reduce production cost and encourage the broad utilisation of different energy sources to power communities and schools.

    Kaduna Polytechnic’s Renewable Energy Advancement Project (R.E.A.P) emerged as the winning entry in the competition that had impressive projects from 28 schools.

    The Kaduna Polytechnic team created a self-running hydro-power system that runs solely on the kinetic energy of water. The energy produced is stored in a  75-litre enclosed water tank that houses a pump and other materials required to drive generation of electricity. The technology is made from locally modified and recycled parts to ensure that it is environmentally friendly. The development of this project has brought about an alternative to electricity generation for small businesses, a health care centre and a school within the impact area of the project.

    “We are excited about our performance and want to thank the Sahara Group for giving us a platform to express our abilities. With more support, we believe we can contribute immensely to efforts aimed at improving power supply in Nigeria,” said Gibson Emmmauel, from Kaduna Polytechnic. The institution will represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup 2015 scheduled to hold in Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa from October 14  to 16, this year.

    Sahara Foundation’s Manager, Babatomiwa Adesida said: “We believe the Sahara Light Up Challenge has started a movement that will ultimately redefine the way we produce, store and consume power in Nigeria, whilst ensuring environmental protection. We are confident that the competition will ultimately light up Nigeria.”

  • Lagos calls on Nigerians to conserve energy

    The Lagos State Government has called on residents to cultivate the habit of conserving energy to promote energy efficiency.

    The General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), Peter Okonji, who stated this at a conference organised by the Power Sector Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said there was need for energy conservation in the country.

    He said electrical appliances are supposed to be switched off when not in use, but regretted that Nigerians do not switch off their bulbs after business hours.

    “If we conserve energy, we will reduce the demand of energy and have higher voltage of energy for other purposes. The available power is not enough for all Nigerians if we switch on all our bulbs. So it is important to practice power conservation. For every watt that is wasted, it is money we are wasting.”

    He said Lagos is a 24-hour commercial centre, but darkness has forced businesses and other activities to close early due to insecurity which darkness conveys. He said: “Captive power has helped to power Lagos State facilities and we opted out of the national grid so that there will be enough power for the rest of the citizens in Lagos State. Constantly powered economy will provide efficiency and stimulate productivity.

    “Power demand for Lagos State is 10,000Mw after our last audit in June. The national grid can only transmit about 10 per cent of what we required. However, our five Independent Power Plants (IPPs) which include Akute IPP, Island Power, Mainland Power, Alausa Power and Lekki Peninsula IPP, are together generating 47.5MW to power government facilities like water corporations, general hospitals, the secretariat and state High Courts,” he said.

    The President of LCCI, Remi Bello said the theme: “Embedded power generation and the economy” of the event  was germane at this critical stage of the economy, knowing that the increased  power generation and distribution play a significant  role in the development of our economy.

    “The economy can truly be an investors’ haven if the issues around the power sector are holistically addressed. We expect to see government provide an enabling environment for private sector investment in the embedded power generation sector,” he said.

    According to the rules by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), embedded power regulation allows an independent power producer to embed power within the network of the local distribution company without going through the trouble of connecting to the transmission line, he added.