The economic development of Nigeria is majorly affected by the lack of quality and reliable supply of electricity to the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The renewed hope agenda is focused on addressing the issue. Currently, there is a total of 13,000MW of Installed Generation Capacity while the consumers can only get about 4,000MW on average. Where did the difference of 9,000MW fly to? Rhetoric, right?
It is in misalignment, poor power system planning , estimated billing, lack of coordination, lack of metering, lack of finance. The last point is so crucial. Nigeria is broke! Worse still, the manufacturing industries and heavy energy consumers are leaving in droves, a more worrying “JAPA” (a term colloquially used to describe the massive exodus of Nigerians into developed and undeveloped countries lately) syndrome!!!
In the midst of all these, thoroughly bred power systems engineers are excited because they are used to solving complex problems as I alluded to in my previous articles.
What needs to be done right away is to identify the industrial clusters, manufacturing hubs, and heavy energy consumers nationwide, and where possible, connect them with Mobile Substations. This was contained in my submission four years ago but it was not taken seriously, same as many others. By my calculation, Nigeria needs about 100 of such mobile substations to make this a quick impact, low-hanging fruit/ intervention.
The financial model to back it up is as important as the technical submission. Mobile Substations are expensive but the industries that will benefit from this innovative thinking will pay for electricity supplied. They already pay huge sums in being off the grid via expensive and dirty fuels from private generation which will not make Nigeria meet her renewable energy and climate goals. An on-lending methodology for ensuring that the tariffs/income from the sale of electricity through these Mobile Substations pays back the cost of investment is key. This is fairly easy as the model is readily available. Technology is important in ensuring that all stakeholders in the electricity supply value chain get the benefit therefrom. The most important being the customers.
I have published the needed ideas in 2017 on the implementation of the The Eligible Customer Policy and decision makers will do well to go and read them and implement the submissions. Please see the articles written consistently since 2017. I will not stop! The matter of electrifying Nigeria is for our collective good. Meritocracy, Pragmatism, and Honesty is the Singaporean formula by Lee Kuan Yew! We contributed so much into that model.
https://nigerianpowersystem.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/eligibile-customer-declaration-in-nesi-part-1-swot-analysis/.
You can also read part 2.
Idowu Oyebanjo, PhD
20 comments
Well said. Thank you sir for this article. This article make me remember why I wanted to become an Engineer😢💔
This is a serious issue so called our country is facing…..
Well said on INDUSTRIALIZATION OF NIGERIA USING MOBILE SUBSTATIONS”.
It’s a FastTrack approach that’s feasible and readily implementable. Let’s go for it so the Gencos capacities won’t keep on being fallow when Power is in muc need in Nigeria, particularly for Manufacturers.
Thanks for your articulate response. The “stranded” capacity should now be delivered to the Agricultural, industrial/manufacturing sectors.
I’m humbled by your words. Equally glad you are an Engineer.
This is a good step and we need more of this in our power sector so that every house hold will be enjoying lights
Indeed. Thanks Sir.
This is a very good idea, I believe Nigerian government can finance the project if they can billions on senator cars and luxury
For Nigeria to be economic viable, basic infrastructure like electricity, water and good road must be in place.
Your perspectives on basic infrastructure is apt. Thanks for your support.
You are correct Sir, the substations can’t be that expensive compare to the amount of money industries spend on power. It’s a very good one, and it will inturn bring in more investors to our country. Let’s continue to push this idea, until it becomes a reality.
Thanks ma. We will not relent just as you have advised. It is bound to happen if we do not tire out. Power Systems is highly technical and at some point, Meritocracy, Pragmatism and Honesty will have to be the main considerations. That’s when we come in!
This is very impressive sir, I’m glad we could get Engineers that are willing and ready to solve issues regarding electricity.
If the country “Nigeria”can get stable electricity,it will cause improvement on all sectors in the economy
Thanks for your encouraging words Hannah.
Nigeria is a country that is faced with the sydrome of lack of electricity with trial and fail projects, having invested so much in the power sector by the past presidents. Great thanks to the PPI innitiative under the leadership and supervision of a Guru in the field of electricity with never tiring effort just to see that power is fully restored and distributed with renewed hope to our dear citizens. Thank you sir dully appreciated. Having said this, let me drop some suggestion that can help may be in the industrailization of nigeria using the mobile substation.
1. Favourable policies on the distribution networks which are often unreliable with some areas receiving far less energy than others despite paying similar tariffs.
2. Introduction of new technology that has significant potential for use in the country’s electricity sector with skilled professionals who will be trained to operate them effectively.
3. Technical courses can be introduced into the Nigerian secondary and university curriculum. With emphasis on practical than theories.
4. Lastly, maintenance culture should be adopted and there is need to have a workforce with strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities along the line.
Thanks Amar. I look forward to your returning to contribute just as I am doing, and as we both agreed during the mentorship programme. Keep doing well.
This is brilliant!
The issue of industrialisation in Nigeria need to be declared state of emergency. The ideas espoused here must be harnessed practically and implemented. I also think we need to look at localisation of agro-industries in some States,
Thanks. We do. Various sectors of the economy will be analyzed and electricity supply needs met.
Very informative article. Thank you for sharing sir.
Thanks Sefiya for your words of encouragement.
I sincerely appreciate your innovation in the Nigeria power industry, your immense contribution to the development of the power sector of Nigeria is timely. Dr. Engr. Idowu Oyebanjo have been at the forefront of the power sector, providing the necessary leadership that is driving the Presidential Power Initiative. We hope to continue to benefit from your wealth of ideas in the improvement of power Generation, Transmission and Distribution in Nigeria. May the good Lord continue to bless your good work. We are proud of you.
Your very encouraging comments are well appreciated boss. Thanks