By Elizabeth ADENUGA
Former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, has urged stakeholders in the energy sector to be consistent in implementing energy policies to enable the country achieve steady electricity.
Nnaji said this in his keynote address in Nsukka on Wednesday at the 36th national solar energy forum of Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN)
The forum is titled “Promoting Sustainable Energy Access: The Role of Solar Energy and Other Clean Energy Sources.”
He said with consistent implementation of energy policies by relevant stakeholders and adequate budgetary allocation by government, the country would surely achieve steady electricity.
“Other countries that achieve steady electricity supply did not do any magic, but through consistent implementation of energy policies and adequate budgetary allocation to the sector.
“One thing is for stakeholders to do the right thing, one day Nigeria will get steady power supply at affordable price,”he said.
The former Minister said adequate investment in renewable energy would complement and boost electricity supply in the country.
‘Government is not expected to be main investor in renewable energy, but to provide enabling environment that will attract both local and foreign investors in renewable energy.
“With adequate investment in solar energy, more Nigerians especially in rural areas will have access to electricity supply which will help to fast track development,”he said.
Nnaji, who is also the Managing Director of Geometric Power limited, said that his company would next year, invest in solar renewable energy.
“Though, It’s very costly to invest in renewable energy, but we are putting necessary measures in place.
“The gestation period may be between two or three years, this is time to build and put necessary equipment in place that will help produce power from renewable energy source.
“Investment in renewable energy takes time and much money and that is why few people invest in it,”he said.
Nnaji commended SESN for their efforts on research in renewable energy as well as creating awareness for people to know about solar energy and other clean energy sources.
The Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, Vice-in his remarks, charged the society on the usage of local content in producing solar panels and other renewable energy accessories in order to bring down the cost of solar panels, make it accessible and create employment for more Nigerians
“Solar panels and accessories are costly because they are imported from foreign countries like China and Japan, the engineers in the country should look inward and embark on research on how to produce some of these things in the country.
“I am looking forward to the day we will start producing renewable solar panels in this country,” he said.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof Charles Igwe, the VC commended the SESN for the choice of the university for the venue of the forum.
He expressed the hope that the outcome would produce a roadmap that would make solar panels and accessories accessible to Nigerians in future by producing then locally.
Earlier, the National President of SESN, Prof. Isaac Itodo, said the use of renewable energy as power source would improve and promote energy access as well as guarantee sustainable development since Nigeria was blessed with many renewable energy sources.
Itodo urged government to key into the solar energy revolution so as to enhance rapid development in all sectors of the economy.
“Presently, the contributions of renewable energy in Nigeria is insignificant and that is why there is need for more investment in renewable energy,” he said.
The highlight of the occasion was excellent awards to distinguished members of the society.
