As life gradually returns to normal after the coronavirus pandemic, it will become difficult to carry out power system projects involving transformers and substations due to supply chain issues. Also, in view of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the source of many important materials for the manufacturing of power assets, the situation can only be dire.
Coming out of a pandemic, the demand for electricity and electrification projects will increase and so will the demand for transformers and substations. According to the laws of demand and supply, the supply chain will be disrupted as demand trumps supply. Add to that, there are only a few manufacturers of transformers and substations worldwide to provide supply. This will definitely lead to price volatility.
Worse still, there is a short supply of human resources and skilled expertise to carry out detailed design and manufacturing of power systems.
Opportunities for Nigeria
In meeting the power supply deficit in Nigeria, there is a huge need for targeted deployment of mobile transformers and mobile substations.
With a large population of ingenious and creative citizens, Nigeria is not in short supply of human capital. However, there is a huge opportunity for capacity development in the area of manufacturing of oil, gas and power systems. Also, there is a dire need to invest in power system training institutions and factories for manufacturing transformers, switchgears, including substation equipment and components.
With the massive disruptions in supply chain in Western Europe and the developed economies – in oil, gas and power, Nigeria could have been the destination of choice. It is better late than never. There is need for rapid investment in education, training, technology and infrastructure. The future of world human resources is in the development of human capital “wasting” away in Africa!
By Engr. Idowu Oyebanjo FNSE FNIEEE FNIPE CEng MIET
