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The need to boost Nigeria’s power supply

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By Abdulwasiu Usman

8 out of 10 Nigerians do not have access to 10 hours of power supply daily.

Even as we evolve into the digital era, where electricity is required to power devices and gadgets largely utilized in the house, workplace, company, and commercial operations, the quality of electricity in Nigeria remains poor. As the need for power grows, more and more people are turning to alternative energy sources like solar panels and backup generators. The issue persists with over 20 power-generating units linked to the national grid and capable of producing 11,165.4 MW of energy. This is mainly because the need for consistent maintenance and repairs, frequent breakdowns, malfunctions, and leaks has hampered most power-generating units.

Despite pledges made by successive administrations, one issue that has yet to be addressed is whether the nation would have a stable power supply. According to statistics, 8 out of 10 Nigerians do not have access to a power supply that lasts for 10 hours daily. In practical terms, this implies that most homes and businesses will be without power for as long as 10 to 16 hours daily. As a consequence, it is becoming more expensive for businesses to get access to energy from the country’s producing facilities, making it more challenging for them to operate there. In addition, the market price of items has grown due to the shortage of diesel and the high cost of gasoline.

25,000MV target 2025 is below the international standard.

Meanwhile, the general public has decried the privatization of electricity supplies, alleging that it has aggravated the problem over time. The country’s electricity production peaked at 4,594.6MW in November 2022, despite having a producing capacity of 22,000MW. With over 200 million people living in the nation, the power produced is inadequate. According to the most recent data from the Nigeria Bulk Energy Trading Plc (NBET), electricity customers in the country paid N258.91 billion for electricity in the first seven months of 2022, despite the multiple blackouts caused by the failure of the national grid.

Recall that in 2019, the government inked an agreement with Siemens AG to boost power production to 25,000MW in six years. There will be a gradual growth from the existing 7,000 MW to 11,000 MW in 2023 and 25,000 MW in 2025. It’s worth noting that the 25,000MW target established for 2025 is well below the international standard of 1,000MW per one million people. That means that Nigeria has to create at least 200,000MW so that its over 200 million people may have improved access to power if it is to reach the benchmark.

Crucial measures are needed to achieve a 24-hour power supply.

Egypt, which has one of the highest rates of access to power in Africa, similarly collaborated to improve its situation through huge investment. It struck a $4.4 billion contract with Siemens AG in 2015 to build three power plants with a combined capacity of 14,400 megawatts in two years. However, in order to achieve a 24-hour power supply in Nigeria, crucial measures, such as electrical clustering, must be implemented. A report claims that areas with almost identical consumption rates and under an agreement may strike a bargain for their own electricity.

The research claims that this may be accomplished at an initial N95/kWh through the use of a combination of 60% grid supply and 40% generators managed by an independent operator. Some variables, such as but not limited to the number of electronic devices in a home, the quantity of power used from the national grid, and the price of gasoline, might cause the cost to grow as indicated. There is a possibility that the monthly cost might be N100,000 to N400,000. This may cause skepticism about Nigerians’ dedication and desire to comply with the huge payments.

Gov’t needs to connect btw 500,000 and 800,000 homes to energy sources.

While hydro and gas-fired thermal power plants account for the vast majority of Nigeria’s electricity generation, the government is encouraged to diversify its power portfolio in order to better meet the needs of its population. The World Bank had projected that between the last six months and 2030, the government would need to connect between 500,000 and 800,000 additional homes to energy sources annually to be able to meet its objectives of universal access to electricity for its population. Meanwhile, the present government has promised Nigerians a dramatic improvement in the electricity sector very soon as it executes its Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) to understand the root of the past blunders.


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Ask Nigeria
Admin
10 months ago

The need to boost Nigeria’s power supply8 out of 10 Nigerians do not have access to 10 hours of power supply daily. – Express your point of view.

Last edited 10 months ago by Kenny Adetunji
Abusi
Abusi
Member
10 months ago

Power supply has been our problem since the inception of Nigeria. There is need to boost it and develop it more to meet the demands of people.

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
Member
10 months ago

The statistics on this article may be wrong and it is very shameful and bad because no tangible improvement since almost 8yrs now and all the money that have been budget and spent on the cause have nothing to show for it and everyday there is promise upon promise

Iyanu12345ogg
Iyanu12345ogg
Member
10 months ago

The issue with power persist because there is need for consistent maintenance and repairs, frequent breakdowns, malfunctions. Failure to attend to all these make power-generating and distribution difficult.

Kazeem1
Kazeem1
Member
10 months ago

Even though we are moving into the digital age, which necessitates the usage of energy to power most of the appliances and electronics that are utilized in our homes and places of business,

Hassan Isa
Hassan Isa
Member
10 months ago

As the need for electricity continues to rise, an increasing number of individuals are looking to alternate energy sources such as solar panels.

Godsewill Ifeanyi
Godsewill Ifeanyi
Member
10 months ago

People are leaving because most power-generating equipment have been impeded by the need for regular maintenance and repairs, frequent failures, malfunctions, and leaks. These issues have caused numerous breakdowns.

Adesanyaj72
Adesanyaj72
Member
10 months ago

In spite of assurances provided by each succeeding administration, there is still one question that has not been answered, and that is whether or not the country will have a reliable supply of electricity.

Nwachukwu Kingsley
Nwachukwu Kingsley
Member
10 months ago

Regions that have nearly the same consumption rates and are already party to an agreement may be able to negotiate a better price for their own electricity.

Chibuzor
Chibuzor
Member
10 months ago

The cost could increase as shown depending on factors including the number of electrical gadgets in a home, the amount of power utilized from the national grid, and the price of gasoline.

Taiwoo
Taiwoo
Member
10 months ago

While implementing its Performance Change Plans (PIP) to investigate the causes of previous mistakes, the current government in Nigeria has assured its citizens that the country’s power system will soon undergo a dramatic improvement.

Tonerol10
Tonerol10
Member
10 months ago

8 out of 10 Nigerians do not have access to 10 hours of power supply daily. Power supply has be in Nigeria from beginning to date. Solution has been provide

theApr
theApr
Member
10 months ago

More and more individuals are turning to alternative energy sources like solar panels and backup generators as the demand for electricity rises.

Christiana
Christiana
Member
10 months ago

Our issue has been the power supply ever since Nigeria was founded. To suit the needs of the populace, it must be strengthened and developed further.

Bola12
Bola12
Member
10 months ago

Despite the fact that most of the appliances and devices we use in our homes and businesses now require electricity to function, we still need to be mindful of our impact on the environment as we enter the digital era.

SarahDiv
SarahDiv
Member
10 months ago

Promises have been made by successive government on boosting electric power supply but no results were seen. There were empty promises. It is just a pointer to the fact that our government is highly corrupt.

Last edited 10 months ago by SarahDiv
Tolaniiii
Tolaniiii
Member
10 months ago

Variables such as the number of electronic devices used, energy consumption from the national grid, and gas prices could all cause the cost to rise.

DimOla
DimOla
Member
10 months ago

It is just unfortunate that the giant of Africa that has all it takes to be one of the best country in the world is still struggling with electric power supply. We just need to deal with corruption in this country.

Haykaylyon26
Haykaylyon26
Member
10 months ago

Power supply is one issue we are facing in the country not having enough light and we are paying for it our government need to boost our power supply so people can be having enough electricity to make use of

Ultra0711
Ultra0711
Member
10 months ago

Power problems occur due to the constant requirement for maintenance and repairs, frequent breakdowns, and malfunctions. If these aren’t addressed, producing and distributing electricity becomes problematic.

Remi1
Remi1
Member
10 months ago

Even though the majority of the appliances and devices in our homes and places of business require energy to operate, as we move towards the digital age,