Efficient structure for integrating energy system needed for net zero success.
Earlier this year, the federal government approved and launched Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), in a bid to achieve a net zero target by 2060. The ETP is aimed at focusing on the reduction of emissions across the various sectors, including the oil and power industries, to enhance economic growth and lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. For the power sector, emission is projected to be reduced by substituting natural gas with solar energy. However, there has been no indication as to the enactment of nuclear for the generation of electricity and reduction of emission, despite it being one of the biggest sources of low-carbon electricity.
Nuclear energy is usually generated through fission, a process which involves splitting uranium atoms for producing energy. The released heat from this fission is used in creating steam that spins a turbine to produce electricity without any harmful effects. Comparing this process to other clean energy sources, a 1000 megawatt nuclear facility is said to require less than a square mile for its operations, with solar requiring at least seventy five times the space to produce the same amount of energy.
Lack of clarity in regulatory framework an issue for using nuclear power.
However, reports suggest that EFT’s omission of the nuclear source for energy generation might have been promised on some of the possible challenges posed in the deployment of nuclear power. One of these posed problems identified is the lack of a clear regulatory framework. Evidently, the regulatory structure for the usage of nuclear power in addressing the risks that potential investors might face remains unclear. There are different regulatory agencies with overtly overlapping responsibilities. One of these agencies include the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) which was established in 1995, under the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act. This agency commenced its responsibilities in 2001 and has since created regulations on nuclear energy like the Basic Lonizing Radiation Regulation.
It is also saddled with the implementation of the best international practices, as in the International Basic Safety Standard for Protection against Lonizing Radiation. Also, the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) is also responsible for the technical and commercial aspects of the electricity sector. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is concerned with the oversight in enforcing the environmental regulations. Additionally, there are numerous treaty obligations like the IAEA Convention on Nuclear Safety. Importantly, the federal and state governments’ dichotomy in regulating the electricity sector is posed to disorganize the use and regulations of nuclear power. Thus, there is a significant need for clarifying the legal and regulatory framework of the nuclear power that needs to be considered in achieving the net zero goal by 2060.
Technologies like SMRs can help to reduce time and cost of construction.
Also, the power plant projects of nuclear power has long time horizons in terms of its testing and construction. However, advanced technologies such as Sealed Micro Reactors and Small Modular Reactors have been put in place to reduce the time and cost of construction. The limited capacity and flexibility of SMRs permits their on and off the grid deployment. Thus, the effectiveness in construction timing, as well as deployment ease of SMRs would be faster and a more efficient approach in reducing emission in the electricity industry.
Presently, Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure is insufficient to enhance the production of nuclear energy. With this power plant operating continuously in full capacity, the grid must have the capacity for transmitting sufficiently, the production capacity of the nuclear plant. Hence, immense investments must be directed to upgrading the existing facilities. Alternatively, a short to medium length project can also be enacted, with their mobility being an important tool in bridging the gap in infrastructures.
There is a need for an efficient structure for an integrated energy system.
Limited local maintenance experts for any nuclear power plant to be built will again cause a huge challenge safety-wise and as such, important trainings of the local workforce will be significant in the deployment of nuclear power in the country. So, the agenda focusing on nuclear power must also include huge training provisions. However, the advantages of introducing the nuclear electricity generation are huge and Nigeria must tap into these advantages. Thus, there is the need for an efficient structure for an integrated energy system for the success of the net zero plan.
Related Link
Nigeria ETP: Website
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Fact Checking Tool – Snopes.com
Development of nuclear power in Nigeria. – Efficient structure for integrating energy system needed for net zero success. – Express your point of view.
It is a good thing that we are now developing nuclear power plant in Nigeria. It really shows we are developing at our pace. We should do well to do more in this sector.
This brings about progress. If only the federal and state governments work to tackle possible challenges, addressing the risks for investors might encounter. We will continue to enjoy the benefits of the deployment in Nigeria
Development of nuclear power in Nigeria. This current Nigeria is not at that stage of nuclear. Nigeria government need to do the needful. We need to grow our economy First before taking about nuclear. People are suffering here
For the implementation of the net-zero energy plan to be successful, the government should be aware of the necessity of an effective framework for an integrative power infrastructure.
Even though nuclear power is one of the largest sources of moderate energy, there has been no sign of its implementation for the purpose of generating electricity or reducing emissions, which is absurd.
Nuclear power plant production in Nigeria means we are now promoting to Developed country. I hope many more good things are coming to promote the level of our state
Any future nuclear power plant will face a significant safety challenge due to a lack of qualified local maintenance experts. After construction, the facility won’t have a dedicated expert.
There are numerous benefits to be gained from the implementation of nuclear power plants in Nigeria, and it would be very wonderful for our economy if we can actually benefit from things like this.
This is a very wonderful idea because that is what these first-world countries are doing and it is paying off for them but our problem is if our government will utilize the benefits properly.
Achieving the net-zero target will require careful consideration of the legal and regulatory framework of nuclear power, and there is a pressing need for clarification on this front.
The government needs to realize the importance of an efficient framework for an integrative power infrastructure if the net-zero energy plan is to be put into action.
Wow we are developing nuclear power in the country is a good start and show are ready to be developing like others countries we need to start making improvement like this
The federal governments need to address potential difficulties and protect investors from any foreseeable dangers to better enjoy the benefits of the development in the country.
There is an urgent need for clarity on the subject of the regulatory and legal structures of nuclear power, which must be taken into account in order to reach the net-zero goal.
There is a serious need for technology advancement in the country because this is one of the easiest to development of any nation that want to progress,with this many work will be easier to do and also faster.
It is ludicrous that nuclear power, one of the major sources of mild energy, is not being used to generate electricity or reduce emissions.
Nuclear energy is better source of generating electricity using a very low space. We will be able to attain the zero carbon emissions by 2060. To be able to achieve this structures for nuclear power plant must be in place.
Nuclear energy would have been appropriate for electricity generation with low carbon emissions to achieve a net zero target by 2060 but unfortunately the possibility of achieving this is slim due to lack of structural frame work.
Nigerian nuclear energy development. Nigeria now is not in that nuclear stage. The Nigerian government must act appropriately. Before discussing nuclear power, we must first strengthen our economy. Here, people are in pain.
The government should be aware of the requirement for a viable framework for an integrated power infrastructure in order for the net-zero energy plan to be implemented successfully.