02 July 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The UN Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, says Nigeria is “home to enormous energy resources”, but noted that development and exploitation of energy sources have been skewed in favour of hydropower, petroleum and natural gas.
Mr Bakary Dosso, the ECA Chief Sub-Regional officer, Data Centre, who disclosed this, said Nigeria is blessed with petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear power and tar sands as well as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower.
“Nigeria has an untapped potential to produce 93,950MW from carbon-emission-free energy sources, which include small and large hydroelectric power plants, 68 percent and nuclear power, 21 percent.
“Also, Nigeria has an untapped potential of seven percent solar and photovoltaic and onshore wind, two per cent,” he added.
Dosso said in spite of such potential, it was sad that half of the population depended on wood, charcoal, manure and crop residues for energy.
He added that Nigeria had a total installed electricity capacity of 12,522MW and an available current capacity of only about 4,500MW.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to seize the opportunities to improve the power situation in the country.
He explained that the country’s energy challenges, especially electricity generation, transmission and distribution were impacting negatively on the economy.
“The lack of reliable access to electricity remains a major obstacle to creating a much stronger and more diverse economy and improving the living standards of the population.
“It is, therefore, crucial to scale up both private and public investment in the electricity sector.
“For that to happen, the authorities must attract private investment by establishing a clear regulatory framework and aligning their policies so that the infrastructure for generating and transporting electricity can be developed efficiently,” he said.