On the 30th May, 2018, I read with excitement the articlepublished in the Daily Trust and written by Chief Robert Usman Audu, a retired federal Permanent Secretary in reaction to my article published by same newspaper on Wednesday 9th May, 2018 titled ‘Is Coal Power Really Cheap’.
I thank the former PS for confirming wide readership of my articles.And I refer the former PS to another of my article ‘Power from coal; at what cost’ published in BusinessDay Newspaper on the 5th February 2018.
In my article “dangers of coal mines for host communities” which the former PS made reference to, my opening statement was ‘coal as a natural resource may have been the pillar upon many countries generated wealth but that was 50 years ago’. So, his claim that I am unaware of the dominant role coal play over the years is completely false.
Yes, like the PS mentioned, power in South Arica, China and India depend hugely on coal, but these coal plants are decades old and are being phased-out. Clearly, the good PS is still decades behind current thinking.Such comparison suggest that the PS will advise that I buy a Peugeot 504, because my father had in 1977 bought a Peugeot 504.
Importantly, the PS forgot to mention is that in March, 2016, Scotland closed her last coal fired power station. That coal supplies less than 7 percent of energy mix in the UK. That a host of countries including Ethiopia, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand and Mexico have all committed to phasing out coal power by 2030. That India in 2017cancelled plans for a 14,000MWcoal fired plant. That the Chinese energy regulator ordered the suspension of more than 150 coal-fired power projects, with a combined capacity of about 100,000MW. That the people of Australia are standing united in their demand to #StopAdani – a proposed coal power plant in the country.
China that the PS says ‘coal is deeply integrated into the economic development’ is been plagued by hazardous smog and massive air pollution driven by coal combustion. For some cities in China and India,clean air is a status symbol.Schools and hotels offer purified air as part of their luxury portfolio.
Isthat what we want for Nigeria? The WHOin 2016 ranked three Nigerian cities as most polluted cities worldwide. Imagine throwing pollution from coal operationsinto the mix.
With pop and pageantry, Nigeria on May 16, 2017 ratified its commitment to reduce national greenhouse gas emission by 20 percent ‘unconditionally’. Nigeria’s commitment means that “Nigeria has a great potential for climate smart development.” It then begs the question; how can Nigeria pursue low carbon growth and large scale coal-fired power plant concurrently? Since it is‘pactasuntservanda’, it means that coal power has to give.
Luckily, Nigeria have not jumped into the coal ocean, so any proposal for Nigeria to scuba dive now is unpatriotic and portends disaster.
Furthermore, I will presume that the former PS has heard of the terrible working conditions miners in South African have had to endure over the years. Nigerian miners have and will endure worse. Iva valley massacre of 1949 is a noteworthy pointer.
Importantly, the problem with coal power generation in Nigeria does not start with the combustion of coal but with irresponsible opencast mining. So I ask, who will pay for the millions that will be required for mining sites reclamation? The Federal Government? The mining companies?
Using the Niger Delta as case in point, research by distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering and Science, Professor Hilary Inyang indicated that the over 2500 polluted sites across the Niger Delta will cost over 50 billion USD over a period of about 5 decades to remediate. The FG in 2016, launched the $1 billion Ogoniland clean up. Such backdoor expense.
So do we want to create another Niger Delta situation – destroyed environment and armed militancy – in Enugu, Kogi, and Gombe states – where we have commercial coal deposits? It is more disheartening considering that after destroying our land, we will run to another UN agency for a forensic study.Another ‘penny wise, pound foolish’ action.
More so, are we ready to deal with uprising that will emanate from host communities demanding ‘the impossible?’ Trying not to sound like a dooms day prophet, but that day will most definitely come. Can Nigeria deal with it?
According to the former PS, ‘the way to go is adoption of coal for an aggressive power generation, starting with 5000 MW plant at Ankpa, Kogi State, 5000 MW plant at Owukpa in Benue State, 5000 MW plant at ObolloAfor in Enugu State, 2500 MW plant at Ashaka in Gombe State and 2500 MW in Keana, Nasarawa State.’
Such skyscrapers without foundation.It issaddening that a onetime policymaker could brandish such unrealisticcoal power generation figures.For years, Chief Auduserved in the circle of power, why didn’t he push for just1MW of coal power to be added to our power mix?Samedisjointed thinking has kept Nigeria backward and in darkness.
For us in the global south, solar can be our main source of power and not just a supplement. If the UK (a temperate country) have installed solar capacity of over 12,800MW, Nigeria can do morewithaverage monthly solar radiation of over 290W/m2in many northern states.We have to understand that nature put the sun above us and the coal beneath us for a good reason.
The future of electricity system must achieve four cardinal outcomes; lower emissions, increased security, future reliability and rewarding consumers. Unfortunately, coal power doesn’t meet these criteria.
Thus, the case against coal power has nothing to do with propaganda but science.And it is understandable that emotions flow when the subject of discussion is Nigeria’s electricity situation. Still coal is not the solution.
