‘Nigeria’s power sector is undergoing positive reform’

Nasser Abultaif, a Lebanese/Panamanian engineer and power generation specialist, has commended the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s power sector, saying it is on course.

“Nigeria has one of the lowest net electricity generation per capita rates in the world. It plans to increase generation from fossil fuel sources to more than 20,000 MW by 2020. A major source of capacity expansion is expected to come from Independent Power Projects (IPPs). IPPs currently contribute around 1,600 MW to the national grid,” he said.

He said majority of Nigerian power plants, whether on-grid or off-grid, depends on gas, which is supplied to a variety of industrial users in and around Lagos, adding that the gas originates in the Niger Delta area but passes to Lagos via the pipelines.

Abultaif further said renewable energy would aid Nigeria’s attainment of its target in electricity generation.

“Renewable energy penetration in Nigeria is still in its early stage. The only source of renewable energy in the country is hydro-power and biomass; wind and solar energy have only been deployed in little amount,” he said.

“Solar energy in Nigeria is majorly used in urban areas for street lighting, while in rural areas it is used for irrigation project and water pumping,” he added.

Nigeria began the process of privatizing its power assets some years ago, a process that it hopes will lead to greater investment in the sector and consequently increased power generation.