Over the years, electricity generation in Nigeria has relied on natural gas as the major source of fuel to run the turbines. This system has sustained about 26 of the 29 power plants connected to the national grid in the country. But challenges surrounding gas supply and infrastructural deficits have reduced the generation capacity to 3,922MW.
There are, however, a number of natural sources in the country that can replace the existing predominant source for electricity generation.
Now, the gamechanger is that the federal government is strategizing on ways to sustain its electricity generation without relying on crude oil as expressed by Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and technology at the national summit.
This write-up aims at bringing these resources to light.
Biofuels: Biofuels are fuels derived from organic materials such as plants and animal waste materials. Research has shown that household waste materials can as well be converted to produce biofuels. Given the quantity of waste materials generated in the country on daily basis, having a good collection and waste conversion system the production of biofuels will soar in the country.
Solar energy: Nigeria is endowed with an abundant supply of sunlight. Investing in solar energy would reduce the amount of CO2 emissions caused by gas flaring to generate electricity. Furthermore, it is a renewable source of energy so there is no worry about its depletion.
Wind energy: Wind is used to produce electricity using kinetic energy as a result of air in motion. Wind energy does not require oil or gas to operate. Nigeria has a modest wind availability, with annual average speeds of about 2.0m/s at the coastal region and 4.0m/s at the heights of 30m in the country’s far northern region.
As mentioned above, electricity can be generated from several sources without the use of crude oil. Its high time the federal government channelled its investments into renewable energy for electricity generation.