Nigeria Generates Only 5000MW, Depends on Generators for 75% Electricity –Report

Nigeria circulates about 5000 megawatts for its over 200 million population leaving generator sets to supply 75 percent of electricity needed by its people, reports have shown.

Investors King gathered that generators supply about 25,000 megawatts of power compared to the 5000 megawatts supplied by the national grid.

The recent reports from the Society for Planet and Prosperity, GCA Capital Partners and Climate Advisers Network stated that Nigeria depends largely on diesel and petrol-powered generators for electricity.

The research firms revealed their findings on power supply and consumption on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja.

They harped on measures to ensure solution to the current power supply shortage in Nigeria, calling for action on the issued recommendations.

President, Society for Planet and Prosperity, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said part of the 11 suggested measures is centered on improving the generation of electricity by the national grid.

“Number one measure is to increase the generation of electricity, both on-grid and off-grid. Nigeria currently generates about 5,000MW for a population of over 200 million people.

“5,000MW is about the amount of electricity that powers Heathrow Airport (London). South Africa generates 40 gigawatts (40,000MW). India, which we should be competing with, generates over 80GW (80,000MW),” he said.

According to him, lack of constant power supply cripples the economy as it discourages local and foreign investors from investing in the country. This in turn leads to an increase in the unemployment rate. 

Okereke stated that enhancing on-grid and off-grid power will significantly solve the issue of climate change and improve the economy.

Another measure mentioned was the extinction of generator sets of any kind as this will shift attention to the rapid growth of the national grid. 

“So we get nearly 75 percent of our electricity in this country through generators, which is one of the most polluting sources of electricity generation. Therefore, the elimination of diesel and petrol-powered generators is the second on the list that we have identified,” he said.

Speaking on how the use of generators can be halted, the Chief Executive, GCA Capital Partners, Obi Ugochukwu, noted that it could be done by massively increasing the power generation from renewable energy sources like solar, hydro, among others.