The importance of stable power in the development of any country cannot be over-emphasised.It is without doubt that the future of civilization largely depends upon consistent supply of electricity. Stable power is very essential to the economic growth, national development and improved standard of living of any nation. It is very essential in human life by enhancing productivity, comfort, safety and health.However, despite huge investments in the development of Nigerias power sector the nation has continued to wallow in an unstable power situation which has left terrible cracks in its economic wall, hence the need for an alternative source of energy.Renewable energy which apart from being infinite and environmentally friendly, also serves as an off-grid to the nations power supply; it remains an effective option for future energy supply. All forms of energy can be transferred into electricity.Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural energy carrier resources like solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, etc, which have minimal or zero supply logistic problems. Harnessing these resources leads to decentralized use and local implementation and management, thereby making sustainable rural socio-economic development possible through self-reliance and the use of local natural resources.Speaking during an official visit to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructures (NASENI) Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), a full-fledged limited liability company wholly owned by NASENI, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, described renewable energy as the key the nation needs to diversify its power generation, adding Nigeria will achieve a lot if the country is able to generate more power.He urged NASENI, a parastatal under his ministry to ensure the usage of local content in the production of solar panels in order to make solar energy affordable for Nigerians.He contended that reduced cost of solar panels was the only way of encouraging majority of the citizenry to embrace the use of solar energy in their homes and work establishments, as only a few could afford the solar panels due to the high cost of silicon importation.Onu assured the management of NASENI of the ministrys willingness to go an extra mile in ensuring that the solar cells and silicon were purely made in the country regardless of the cost.He said: Renewable energy is the key we need to diversify our power. If we generate more power in the country, Nigerians will achieve a lot.We have to carry out more research in order to lead the world in solar energy using our own materials and silicone so that it can be economical. Our goal is to find a way to make solar energy economical and cheaper than other sources. If we are able to use local content, we will be able to bring down the cost efficiently.I want NASENI to continue with the research and ensure the solar cells ought to be indigenous no matter how much it cost to get the equipment to enable us use our own silicon.Earlier, the executive vice chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, noted that the objective of setting up the company is to inject local content in the power sector to develop and demonstrate local capability, create business, generate revenue and build capacity in renewable energy generally and solar PV technology in particular, adding the company is a motivation to small and medium scale enterprises in line with the mandate of the agency.He, however, lamented the reluctance of government institutions to either patronise NSEL directly or encourage contractors to use its products which should reflect the local content policy of the current administration.Haruna also urged the Federal Government to facilitate access to the 85 percent offer from China either through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) borrowing plan or alternative funding and the approval of the 15 percent counterpart funding to generate local production of solar cells in Nigeria.The minister may recall our memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC) for the provision of solar cell production line with 85 percent funding from the Chinese African Development Fund and expected 15 percent counterpart funding from the Federal Government of Nigeria.The proposed solar cells production line is of 50MW capacity; sufficient to feed our 7.5MW PV production line, allow duplication of this factory elsewhere and export the excess. Solar cell represents 65 percent and is the most important raw material for solar PV production.Silicon needed for cell production is abundant in Nigeria. The production line will also avail us the opportunity to explore and develop 100 percent raw materials locally and drastically reduce the cost of solar installation, he added.
Click here to read full news..
