Decentralized Electricity Generation Can Revive Nigeria Dying Critical Sectors

Abstract

The growth and industrial advancement of any nation are hampered on constant and sufficient electricity supplies, as there exists a correlation between electricity per capita consumption and the standard of living. The manufacturing industries of Nigeria are in a state of comatose, just as research activities in her ivory towers of learning is at a low state because of the epileptic electricity supply. There are approved licenses for electricity generation to the tune of 26,000 MW as of 2015, and the current available capacity is in excess of 6000 MW of the installed generation capacity of about 12,000 MW. An average of about 4000 MW is what get distributed to the populace partly due to the constraints on the transmission and the distribution network, however, the manufacturing industries demand stands in excess of 13,000 MW. Decentralized generation in line with some of the windows of opportunity provided by the National Electric Regulatory Commission will allow for the supply of the excess generated electricity to the manufacturing industries and higher institutions of learning and encourage generation at full capacity and commissioning of new plants with the provision of conducive environment. The country’s moribund industries will certainly come back to life, and newer ones come into play with constant and adequate supply of electricity, and foster research collaboration with our higher institutions with the attendant positive effect on the nation’s economy.