Nigeria’s desire to grow its economy at a double-digit rate may remain a dream except if its electricity output increases to 300, 000MW, experts explained in Abuja, yesterday.
Despite the different attempts to boost electricity output in the country, the generation still hovers around 5,000MW despite being in possession of huge energy convertible natural resources.
Amongst the experts, who spoke on Saturday are the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, that of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood, and the Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Eli Bala, who gathered at a stakeholders engagement on Nigeria Energy Calculator 2050, while also raised concern over the country’s energy outlook.
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While advocating for policies that would ensure a strong energy mix, Onu stressed the need to efficiently and effectively utilize the nation’s huge energy resources for rapid industrialization and tackle poverty as well as unemployment remained sacrosanct.
He said; ‘I am optimistic that our dear nation will pursue the right combination of different sources of energy, including renewable, fossil fuels as well as nuclear energy,’ Onu said.
According to him, nuclear technology, projected to be useful in medicine, agriculture, education, manufacturing, can significantly help economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and overall national development.
Mahmood noted the need to reduce greenhouse gases in the country as the country tries to improve its energy outlook, adding that the ministry would provide the necessary support for the actualization of the plan.
Bala stated the country could only become one of the 20 most developed countries in the country if GDP growth is driven by an adequate energy supply.
‘We had projected for instance, from the electricity supply side that our demand will be nothing less than 100 megawatts by 2030 based on our population growth rates, level of industrialization, and transportation.
‘Some policy statements wanted us to grow by double-digit, but to grow by double-digit will need nothing less than 300,000 megawatts,’ he said.
According to him, the supply mix must be broadened to include all sources of energy, including gas as well as import from other countries.
Bala noted that while pushing for energy sufficiency, it was necessary for the country to also consider the impacts of global warming, stressing that the nation cannot live in isolation.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK