Experts at the Electricity Hub 98th Power Dialogue have identified and explored ways to improve hybrid energy solutions for a sustainable power supply in Nigeria. The experts noted that hybrid energy solutions are needed to improve the country’s power situation.
Engr. Basil Ozuluonye, the Lead solar and battery Expert at Otis Engineering Limited, moderated the Power Dialogue, which featured a panel of experts that included Dr Segun Adaju, chief energising officer at Consistent Energy Limited; Lamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of Africa Mini-grid Developers Association; and Adedamola Adegun, Head of the gas commercial and non-oil unit at NNPC E&P Limited.
Dr Adaju said that Nigeria has a vast population, with 45 per cent unserved, while a majority of the population has less than four hours of electricity. He noted that people are complaining about cost recovery by the electricity market players. Other issues include ATC&C losses and illiquidity.
He stated that Nigeria’s electricity market needs to be innovative and try new models; this is where a hybrid solution comes in. According to him, the electricity market players are also doing well in providing power to underserved customers through mini-grids and commercialisation. He said that Nigeria can leverage the potential of hybrid power.
He noted that Nigerians are familiar with hybrid power systems, with some using grids, generators, inverters, and solar panels in some places. He stated that Nigeria needs to become more renewable, reduce the use of diesel generators because they generate emissions, and implement sustainable energy solutions.
Niyi-Afuye noted that most Nigerians have been self-generating for the longest time, and many have an alternative power supply to support the grid. The Nigeria electrification project has catalysed companies in the mini-grid market to become utility players in their own right.
The problem of poor electricity in Nigeria has caused Nigeria to complement the work of the grid because some places in Nigeria do not have grid infrastructure, and grid utilities have no business there.
He stated that if Nigeria utilised its total hydropower, the country could generate twenty gigawatts of electricity and solar and wind power. According to him, Husk Power has ten hybrid solar mini-grids in Nasarawa that use solar and biogas.
He also noted that at the utility-scale end of the value chain, North-South Power is building twenty megawatts of floating solar in its dams to support the hydropower.
“Other hybrid systems are the interconnected mini-grid, a mini-grid utility that complements the powering of a community with grid power. An ecosystem is being created around the interconnected mini-grid,” he said.
Adegun stated that the grid power business in Nigeria is static, and energy solutions that can help are being applied to it. The problem created opportunities for hybrid power, microgrids, and mini-grids. He noted that hybrid solutions combine the on-grid and off-grid to ensure a stable system and serve the country’s underserved.
He said that the countries that had achieved hundred per cent electrification in their country are because the elite made deliberate decisions to do so through policies at the highest level of political agenda.
He also noted that countries should do projects aligning with their strengths and future. Nigeria can identify the type of renewable energy that they can use to adapt to Nigeria’s natural strength. Nigeria can start with wind, compressed natural gas (CNG), and solar hybrids.
Engr. Ozuluonye said Nigeria could be a global power source in producing LED acid batteries and solar power frames because it uses aluminium. He stated that implementing policies honestly and thoughtfully can help Nigerians benefit from hybrid solutions.
He noted that Nigeria does not have a regulatory framework that addresses the issue of biogas. Although one was proposed last year, more needs to be done. He said the document needs to address technical issues.
In conclusion, all experts agreed that research and development, collaboration, and access to capital are vital to promoting more hybrid energy systems in Nigeria.