Need For urgent Government policy in power sector.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, each Government have always made power generation her priority. Though, this effort has yielded little or no visible result - considering the amount of power generated and the power needs of Nigerians.
The challenge of poor power supply from National grid has remained a stumbling block in government effort at curbing Environmental degradation,noise pollution , green house gas emissions in residential areas and accidents caused by generating sets;
As each government policy aimed at banning generators is always met with huge resistance from the citizenry, who depends greatly on it to meet the power needs in their homes and offices.
Government now look the other way , each time generator ban becomes a national topic.
The 9th Senate tried passing a bill to prohibit the use of generators; even members of the legislature voted against that bill, because they also depend on generator for their day to day activities.
Recently, the Nigeria government banned certain sizes of generators from entering Nigeria border; chief among them is the popular " I pass my neighbor generator".
This reduced the availability of the said type of generator in open market. But those who are able to smuggle it into the country, still have a great number of customers who are ready to pay exorbitant prices to purchase the product, because of its low fuel consumption feature.
Though it totally inexcusable on the part of Government to be unable to provide the basic amenities of her citizens, but coming up with policy that will benefit them will be a step in the right direction.
If government can provide an alternative to petrol/Diesel generating sets,and further subsidize this alternative power generation machines, so majority of her citizens can afford; only then would the ban on generating sets be possible in a country like Nigeria.
As a professional and consultant in power systems and Electrical machines
I will advice the government of the day to consolidate on the gains made so far in solar Systems Engineering and other renewal energy.

There are many Ways government can consolidate on the gains recorded so far in solar Systems.This includes;
1)Reducing tax and duties paid in importing solar system equipment
2) Giving waivers to companies that wishes to invest in Renewal power generation.
3) Through public-private partnership with reputable power computers in manufacturing solar materials in Nigeria.
4)Giving loans to companies who are willing and capable of manufacturing components needed in solar power generation.

With solar systems gaining wide acceptance from Nigerians, it will be wise on the side of government to urgently come up with good policies or set up a committee that will advise it on ways to maximize the gains in solar energy.
Ohuche Joseph ogbonna
Solar Engineer
@ Unitronix global company limited
www.unitronixglobal.com

CCTV expert and solar Engineer

Ok

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, but also has one of the widest energy gaps in the world. With a quickly growing population, Nigeria urgently needs to improve its power sector. The country’s current installed capacity is reported at 12,500 megawatts, but in practice is only 3,200 megawatts. The government’s aim to boost electricity access from 45% today to 90% by 2030 will drive even more demand. The government privatized part of the power sector in 2013 hoping to promote efficiency, attract private investment, and increase generation, but this has yet to deliver results.

1. Attract investment to the energy sector
Conduct power asset inventory and audit to determine priority investment needs across the value chain and funding to replace or repair assets.
Resolve long standing government liabilities to the electricity sector and create fiscal rules for future payments to prevent debt buildup.
Increase the capital allocation for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), including an analysis of its budget performance.
Consider privatization of TCN.
2. Solve barriers in the gas-to-power value chain
Launch a federal coordination mechanism covering gas supplies, generation, transmission, and distribution.
Enforce existing penalties for payment default along the value chain.
3. Plan for renewable energy integration
Complete development of the 14 planned solar plants.
Invest in new grid infrastructure to facilitate integration of intermittent sources.
Integrate mini-grids into DisCo networks to supply power to underserved areas.
4. Boost revenue collection to support DisCo viability
Update tariff schedule to synchronize the payment expectations in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) and the financing plans of GenCos, TCN and DisCos.
Utilize data analysis to more effectively allocate available power.
Invest in new IT systems for DisCos to enable revenue collection, management, and transparency.
Conduct an independent assessment of the power sector value chain to ensure accurate estimation of costs for electricity delivery and tariff adjustments.
5. Understand demand to guide prioritization
Study energy demand to determine customer profiles, as well as stranded capacity in load rejection to ensure data-driven planning and reduction in technical, commercial, and collections losses.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, but also has one of the widest energy gaps in the world. With a quickly growing population, Nigeria urgently needs to improve its power sector. The country’s current installed capacity is reported at 12,500 megawatts, but in practice is only 3,200 megawatts. The government’s aim to boost electricity access from 45% today to 90% by 2030 will drive even more demand. The government privatized part of the power sector in 2013 hoping to promote efficiency, attract private investment, and increase generation, but this has yet to deliver results.

1. Attract investment to the energy sector
Conduct power asset inventory and audit to determine priority investment needs across the value chain and funding to replace or repair assets.
Resolve long standing government liabilities to the electricity sector and create fiscal rules for future payments to prevent debt buildup.
Increase the capital allocation for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), including an analysis of its budget performance.
Consider privatization of TCN.
2. Solve barriers in the gas-to-power value chain
Launch a federal coordination mechanism covering gas supplies, generation, transmission, and distribution.
Enforce existing penalties for payment default along the value chain.
3. Plan for renewable energy integration
Complete development of the 14 planned solar plants.
Invest in new grid infrastructure to facilitate integration of intermittent sources.
Integrate mini-grids into DisCo networks to supply power to underserved areas.
4. Boost revenue collection to support DisCo viability
Update tariff schedule to synchronize the payment expectations in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) and the financing plans of GenCos, TCN and DisCos.
Utilize data analysis to more effectively allocate available power.
Invest in new IT systems for DisCos to enable revenue collection, management, and transparency.
Conduct an independent assessment of the power sector value chain to ensure accurate estimation of costs for electricity delivery and tariff adjustments.
5. Understand demand to guide prioritization
Solar power system by unitronix global co limited www.unitronixglobal.com
Study energy demand to determine customer profiles, as well as stranded capacity in load rejection to ensure data-driven planning and reduction in technical, commercial, and collections losses.