Expert calls on FG to diversify electricity mix as attacks ground power sector

Nigeria generates most of its electricity from gas-fired power plants and in what was a big blow to electricity generation in the country, Shell’s Forcados export terminal was hit in February, forcing the oil major to declare force majeure. As militant attacks gained more momentum in May, power generation plunged to a new low of 1,400MW on May 17, according to the TCN. As such, an expert has suggested the need for the government to diversify the power generation mix, The Punch reports.

Energy expert at Banwo & Ighodalo law firm, Ayodele Oni, said, “We need to have a more robust energy mix. We have said it several times. States such as Kaduna, Abuja and even Lagos should promote solar power. There is so much renewable energy potential in Nigeria. “We can also have embedded power plants. These are power plants closer to the load centres and they can also use alternative sources of energy like solar and wind instead of gas.”

Power firms can also depend less on the natural gas pipelines by using the LNG and CNG to fuel their power plants he noted. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Egbin Power Plc, Dallas Peavey Jr, in May, said the company would build an LNG terminal in a bid to solve its supply woes, adding that plans to boost Egbin’s capacity by between 1,575MW and 1,900MW were now on hold.