By NNENNA EZEAH
THE electricity situation in Nigeria has remained a terrible nut to crack for both the government and its people and has continued to leave terrible cracks in her economic wall.

This report however, tends to take a look at the importance of the power sector in a developing economy such as Nigeria’s and why much is yet to be achieved even after billions of dollars have been expended on the highly essential but ailing sector.

It is without doubt that the future of civilization majorly depends upon consistent supply of electricity. Electricity is very essential to economic growth, national development and improved standard of living. Electricity is very essential in human life by enhancing productivity, comfort, safety and health.

Speaking on the subject matter during an interactive session on renewable energy, the Country Deputy Director, United Nations Development Programme, Mr. Jan Thomas Hiemstra, said that there is need for an alternative source of energy, the renewable energy which is apart from being infinite and environmentally friendly, also serves as an off-grid to the power supply in Nigeria, And renewable energy 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.

With the increasing population of the country the pressures on the infrastructure for the supply of conventional energy resources has continued to increase.  It is necessary to continue to promote the policy of diversifying the energy supply so as to include alternative or renewable resources and technologies into the nation’s energy supply mix.

The UNDP boss noted that Nigeria is currently facing an energy crisis with only 47 percent of the population having access to electricity. Despite the abundance of energy resources in Nigeria, it is in short supply of electrical power. Renewable energy resources could be utilized to increase the electricity access for sustainable national development.

Also the National Coordinator for the Council of Renewable Energy in Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Ugah Unimke, spoke on the current state of renewable energy in Nigeria, “it is quite impressive and viable option in Nigeria in terms of power supply”.

When considered from the environmental point of it, it is safe and a clear form of energy. It produces little or no waste products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants, so has minimal impact on the environment. Emphasis will be shifted when considered environmental-wise. In near future, power formula of the country will depend on renewable energy than the power supply.

Electricity crisis is the most important infrastructure bottleneck in Nigeria today, all types of firms in Nigeria experience power outages.

Unimke said renewable energy map exists where there are studies done on natural energy carrier resources like wind, biomass, small hydro etc that shows what their potentials are. Solar energy is greatly considered in this country because the other types of energy their technologies are not so developed in the country. Solar is the most popular because we are approximately close to the equator and we have sun all year round. There is nothing like scarcity.

“Renewable energy is free and can provide huge amount of energy that will be enough to meet all our needs”.

He explained that alternative energy sources cannot be depleted, thus making it impossible for worldwide energy shortages to occur. This is one of the most important alternative energy benefits, because renewable energy will always be in abundant supply.

“One very good thing about renewable energy is that as it is renewable, it is therefore sustainable and so will never run out. Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance and because its fuel is being derived from natural and available resources reduces the costs of operation”.

He said it should also be considered because renewable energy projects can also bring economic benefits to many regional areas, as most projects are located away from large urban centers and suburbs of the capital cities. These economic benefits may be from the increased use of local services as well as tourism.

“With renewable energy there is uninterrupted power at home or work”

He concluded by saying that there are many good reasons to depend upon renewable energy sources.