Government plans 45,101MW electricity generation by 2030

The Federal Government has unveiled a sustainable energy for All- Agenda (SE4ALL-AA) that would increase Nigeria’s power generation the present 3,000 Mega Watts (MW) to 45,101MW by 2030. Government planned to achieve this target gradually from the present 3,121MW from fossil fuel to 18,200MW by 2030.

The Federal Government, which disclosed this its Sustainable Energy For All Action Agenda document obtained by The Guardian on Tuesday, also expected renewable energy generation to reach 13,800MW.It declared that by 3030, the country would be generating 13,000MW from gas, 3,200MW from coal; 2,000MW from nuclear; 5,000MW from solar; 1,000MWfrom solar thermal; and 1,100MW from biomass.

Director, Press, Ministry of Power, Timothy Oyedeji said in a statement that the Federal Government has adopted four documents, which are National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP), National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP), Sustainable Energy for All-Action Agenda (SE4ALL-AA) and the Nigerian Power Sector Investment, Opportunities and Guidelines.

According to him, these documents are expected to promote access to regular electricity in the country.He disclosed that the development of NREAP, has received tremendous support from European Union (EU).

Oyedeji added that the German Government funded GIZ through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), underscored by the believe that inefficient use of energy supply will increase environmental problems.

He added that it also believed that it would increase cost of goods and services. “It can also compound the problem of access by large army of our population as it would be expedient to avoid investment in power in excess of actual requirement, because of scarcity of resources.

“The second document is the National Renewable Energy policy document which is developed as a key element embedded in the current electricity reform, which hoped to radically increase the use of renewable energy sources in Nigeria.

“This is premised on the fact that Nigeria will put into use its abundant resources in both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, as the country looks forward to capitalizing on its economic growth potentials.”

He said that the deregulation of the sector, which entails greater need for renewable sources would also be required for Nigeria’s future energy needs, in view of its growing population and concomitant energy demands.

He explained that the SE4ALL initiative was launched to promote access to sustainable energy as a critical and essential component of all economic activities globally.

“It is in recognition of the strong government’s involvement in driving this initiative in the country would require joint efforts of stakeholders in both private and public sectors with government taking the lead.

The 2015 draft document is aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s vast energy potentials through harmonization with other policy initiatives and action plans, as well as provision of technical and financial supports for the attainment of set goals and objectives.

“It is key to doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, ensuring universal access to modern services and doubling the contribution of renewables in the global energy mix,” he said.