FG to fire power plants with coal
News Jan 20, 2011

By DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA—AT its resumption yesterday, after three weeks Christmas and New Year break, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said it was exploring the possibility of using coal to fire electricity plants in the country, as part of it efforts to enhance power supply to Nigerians.

To this end, a FEC session presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, resolved to diversify fuel mix, by approving the award of contract for the generation of coal electricity.

The job entails the provision of consultancy service for feasibility studies, detailed engineering design and drafting of contract documents for the development and construction of a coal-fired power plant in Enugu axis at the sum of over N1 billion.

The FEC, which approved the award of some other power generating contracts running into a total of over N4 billion, also awarded similar contract for the Benue-Kogi-Gombe axis transmission line at a cost of N623 million.

While the first contract for the coal-fired power plant was awarded to Steag Encotec West Africa/IMC, the second one has been awarded to GTA/WAPCOS.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting yesterday, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated that one of the key goals of the government in the current development effort of the power sector was the enhancement of security of supply of electricity through the diversification of fuel mix.

According to Maku, other power project which FEC looked into and approved are the design, manufacture and supply of two numbers of 300MVA, 330/132/33KV power transformers, complete with accessories and spare parts to VON ROLL Transformer limited at the cost of N818,195,000 plus N168,687,544.41 with delivery period of nine months.

Others are the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of 2 x 30/40MVA, 132/33KV Sub-station at Malimfashi and 2x132KV Line bays extension at Kankara substation at the total cost of N755,029,700, including a provisional sum of N145,193,202.73 and the same project at Lafia and Akwanga in Nasarawa state at a total cost of N794,349,800.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/01/fg-to-fire-power-plants-with-coal/

Hallelujah
Finally government is doing something with the supposedly massive coal deposits within the Enugu/Benue axis of the country.
I use the word "supposed" because while the deposits are massive and their estimate figures verified and said to be one of Africa's largest no one in the government or the private sector takes that data into account when planning/estimating  energy production and reserve capacities.Diversity of energy reserves/generation is a major step towards energy security  redundancy and  rapid development.

POLLUTION! what measures are going to be put in place to reduce the efect of pollution that will be caused by the coal fired plants?

most of South Africans Electricity comes from coal. don't we want to be like southy in energy production?

dustydee:

POLLUTION! what measures are going to be put in place to reduce the efect of pollution that will be caused by the coal fired plants?

It is a good measure and i wonder why it has taken this long to consider using coal to fire the plant as we have had constant issues with gas and low water tide.

In the developed world you have what we call the clean coal technology as coal is dirtiest fossil fuel one can ever come across so to overcome this the coal is washed to seperate impurities during this washing process the coal is also broken small pieces. 

If the adequate process is followed and the contractor is not cutting corners  then coal is much more safer and reliable than other fossil fuel in the Nigerian context hence we wont have to worry about sabotage to gas pipes  or low water tide


Below is a process i found on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4468076.stm


"Burning coal produces a range of pollutants that harm the environment: Sulphur dioxide (acid rain); nitrogen oxides (ground-level ozone) and particulates (affects people's respiratory systems).
There are a number of options to reduce these emissions:

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

Flue gas desulphursation (FGD) systems are used to remove sulphur dioxide. "Wet scrubbers" are the most widespread method and can be up to 99% effective.
A mixture of limestone and water is sprayed over the flue gas and this mixture reacts with the SO2 to form gypsum (a calcium sulphate), which is removed and used in the construction industry.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
NOx reduction methods include the use of "low NOx burners". These specially designed burners restrict the amount of oxygen available in the hottest part of the combustion chamber where the coal is burned. This minimises the formation of the gas and requires less post-combustion treatment.
Particulates emissions


Electrostatic precipitators can remove more than 99% of particulates from the flue gas. The system works by creating an electrical field to create a charge on particles which are then attracted by collection plates. Other removal methods include fabric filters and wet particulate scrubbers. "

Thanks dustydee & blacksta for raising and addressing the pollution and health factors.

If the FG really cares about citizens it should ensure the most advanced and efficient methods are used. This is not a project that should be done sacrificing quality for savings. Last thing we need is a new environment pollutant like in the ND.

We hear of contracts been awarded but never see results not even regular updates about the progress of the works. You guys shouldn't get your hopes high yet, for me i'll believe when i see because it's the same old government,

With these I think there's hope for steady power supply by 2014