*Nigeria may enjoy nuclear energy by 2020

By Oscarline Onwuemenyi

ABUJA — The Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC, has announced the selection of four sites across the country for the location of nuclear power plants, even as it stated that the first plant is expected to begin operation by the year 2020.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NAEC, Dr. Eripamo Osaisai, who made the announcement on Thursday, during a lecture at the Nigerian Academy of Science, in Abuja, stated that the draft law for the implementation of the national nuclear power programme has been developed, and has been subjected to detailed scrutiny by all major stakeholders with technical input of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.

He noted that following site survey and site evaluation exercises embarked upon by the Commission, four sites had been designated for further detailed characterization and recommendation to government.

He said: “The sites are located in areas around Geregu/Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State in the North Central zone; Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the South–South zone; Agbaje, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State in the South West zone; and Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State in the North East zone.”

Osaisai pointed out that in the preliminary site survey and evaluation project, a number of technical, environmental, security, social and economic issues were investigated, adding that it was desirable that sites recommended for consideration should have capacity to accommodate multiple NPP units.

He explained that construction work on the nuclear power plants, NPPs, would commence between 2013 and 2014 with ‘first reinforced concrete’, while start of ‘first hot trial run’ would begin in 2017, with 2019 set for possible commissioning and handover of the power plants.

He explained that a roadmap, tagged the ‘Technical Framework for the Deployment of Nuclear Power Plants for Electricity Generation in Nigeria’ and its ‘Strategic Implementation Plan’ had been developed and approved by the Federal Government for implementation.

According to him, “The technical framework is a three-phase plan which is aimed at positioning Nigeria to generate electricity from Nuclear Power plants in 10 to 12 years, with considerable national participation.”

The various phases, he added, included manpower training and infrastructure development; design certification, regulatory and licensing approvals; and construction and start-up.

He added that, “Currently, procedures for the licensing of nuclear power facilities are being developed by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority; a draft regulation for the NPP site licensing has been developed and is being reviewed.”

According to him, the National Nuclear Power Roadmap developed and approved by the Federal Government for implementation envisages the nuclear power plants coming into operation by 2020.

He noted that assurance of long-term energy security requires detailed energy planning which would entail analysis of the supply side, including available energy resources, exploitation strategies, and deployment schedules, as well as a realistic projection of energy demand over time.

“This ordinarily would take due cognizance of physical and technical limitations to the harnessing of the respective energy resources, as well as conservation of resources and resource exploitation in harmony with the environment,” Osaisai added.

The NAEC DG noted that energy self-sufficiency is imperative for the attainment of national and regional developmental aspirations in conformity with the key objectives of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy, NEEDS.