Power Sector And Other Related News Stories For Thursday December 15th 2022
Nigeria Eyes Generation of 25,000mw Of Electricity by 2025 – Official
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh, has said that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is projecting an increase in electricity generation capacity to 25,000mw by the year 2025 with an estimated peak demand of 32,000mw.Speaking at the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the concession of the Power Plant in Abuja, Okoh said: “When suppressed demand is factored in, demand is expected to grow to over 60,000MW by the year 2030 if Nigeria is to meet its economic growth aspirations. This projected supply deficit presents an opportunity for Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI.”
He recalled that in 2009, Interaf Power Development Company Ltd (IPDC), the promoter of the Makurdi Hydro Power Plant (MHPP), approached the Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, respectively, with the aim of exploring possibilities and modalities of developing the project.
“Consequently, Messrs Makurdi Hydropower Project Company Limited (a Joint Venture of Interaf Power Development Company Limited (IPDC) and Sinohydro Corporation Limited) produced an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the development of the Makurdi Hydro Power Dam, and the associated power evacuation facilities on a Public Private Partnership basis,” he said.
Nine DisCos in Nigeria Near Bankruptcy Years After Privatisation – Minister of Power
The Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, has disclosed that nine electricity distribution companies out of the eleven are almost bankrupt nine years after the sector’s privatisation.
According to the Minister, only Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and Enugu Electricity Distribution Companies are making profits, while others are losing.
Aliyu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the 11th edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
He revealed that the situation had forced the federal government to mandate banks to find serious investors interested in buying its 60 per cent equity in the Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benin, Ibadan and Port Harcourt DisCos.
Darkness Looms as Vandals Kill Contractors, Destroy Transmission Towers
Cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure have taken a new turn as vandals kill contractors and destroy six power transmission towers.
Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited, disclosing this in a release said most of the projects being embarked upon by the company are under attack.
The agency also disclosed that the saboteurs equally killed vigilante in Rivers, adding that the unrelenting attacks on power infrastructure is leading to inability of Nigerians to access adequate electricity for economic growth and prosperity.
“On September 3, 2022, some miscreants attacked and vandalised the 330kV DC Afam – Onne Transmission Line in Gbake community of Ogoniland, River State. The vandals cut down four Transmission Towers (T19, T20, T21 and T22), dismantled and carted them away.
“Again, on October 10, 2022, the vandals attacked and vandalized two additional towers on the same 330kV DC Afam – Onne Transmission Line.
“During a third attempt, luck, however, ran out on them as efforts of vigilante members, buoyed by security operatives, paid off, resulting in the arrest of nine of the miscreants.
https://guardian.ng/energy/darkness-looms-as-vandals-kill-contractors-destroy-transmission-towers/
House of Reps Task FG on Renewable Energy
The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to focus on the exploration of renewable energy such as nuclear, solar, biomass and wind as alternative sources of power supply in the country.
The House also implored the federal government to establish an investor-friendly framework for private
sector investment in alternative power supply across the country.
The parliament equally mandated its Committee on Power to liaise with relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors to develop strategies for sustainable alternative and renewable energy distribution in the country.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Chukwuma Umeoji on “need for alternative and renewable power supply in Nigeria” in Wednesday’s plenary.
Umeoji, in his motion, explained that the major driver of sustainable economic development is reliable power supply, noting that this has been at the forefront of government programmes.
The lawmaker added that currently the country generates electricity ” through thermal and hydropower sources and the main source of electricity generation comes from fossil fuels especially gas, which accounts for 86% of the capacity in Nigeria with the remainder generated from hydropower sources.”
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/power-supply-house-of-reps-task-fg-on-renewable-energy/
Scientists Generate Electricity from A Shrub in Renewables Breakthrough
As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, wind turbines and solar panels are increasingly common sights.
But could we one day harness plants – as well as wind and solar – to generate clean power?
It might seem like the stuff of sci-fi, but scientists have successfully used a succulent plant to create a living ‘bio-solar cell’ that runs on photosynthesis.
This (literal) green energy could enable the development of future sustainable technologies, researchers hope.
In all living cells, natural biochemical processes shuttle electrons – electrically charged particles found in all atoms – around and around. This process happens in humans, bacteria, plants and fungi alike.
But in order to harness this energy, researchers have to work out how to ‘catch’ this current.
To do this, the American Chemistry Society used the power of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the natural process by which plants convert sunlight into food.
“During [photosynthesis], light drives a flow of electrons from water that ultimately results in the generation of oxygen and sugar,” the American Chemistry Society statement reads.
Boston Energy Official Warns of Predatory Electricity Suppliers Targeting Seniors, Immigrants
Boston’s top energy official is urging residents to check who their electricity supplier is and make sure they’re not paying more than necessary for electricity during a time when energy prices are skyrocketing.
Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Boston’s chief of environment, energy, and open space, warned city residents Wednesday of predatory energy suppliers targeting seniors and immigrants.
“These folks are going door to door and targeting our immigrant communities, our seniors, and our low income communities, offering what ends up being shameful rates costing as much as $226 more per month,” she said during a news conference.
White-Hammond didn’t mention any suppliers by name, but encouraged young people to reach out to seniors and loved ones whose first language isn’t English and research energy suppliers for them. She also recommended calling the city’s 311 information line for help.
The energy official made clear the city will never go door to door offering electricity supply services, so residents can be sure that anyone who comes knocking to talk about electricity rates is a third-party supplier.
White-Hammond also recommended Boston residents enroll in the Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) program, which offers cheaper rates than Eversource.
