The Federal
Government of Nigeria has decided to use part of the unused coal we possess in
our great country to generate up to 4000MW of electricity in our bid to solve
this long overdue power problem.
Coal
reserves which lie in states like Enugu, Kogi, Benue, Nassarawa, etc. has
opened our eyes to the fact that we need to diversify from our thermal and
hydro source of electricity generation.
According to
the Ministry of Power, there is a proven coal reserve of about 639 million tons
in the country, and inferred reserves are in the region of 2.75 billion tons. A
committee (like you should expect...) was inaugurated on 4th of July to
identify problems of coal powered electricity generation end develop ways to invest
in coal power generation. They will also develop a national framework for coal
to power.
Minister of
Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja stressed
the need to diversify the fuel for power generation in Nigeria in line with
global practice. He added that the Ministry of Power was working with the
Ministry of Mines and Steel to explore the nation’s coal for power generation.
“Nigeria is
blessed with abundant deposits of coal spread in 13 states of the federation.
Significant commercial quantities are evident in the belt spanning Enugu,
Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa and Gombe,” he said.
He stressed
the hassles associated with exploration work and development of infrastructure.
He also recalled that of the current power generation, 70% is from thermal
plants while the other 30% is from hydro power plant.
Accessing the
world generation percentage which is 41% coal, 21% gas, 16% hydro, 13% nuclear,
while 5% was from oil, and all other sources of electricity generation. “When
you look at the contribution of coal to power in some countries, you will realize
that South Africa has 93%, China 79%, Poland 87%, Australia 54%, and USA 45%.
He added
that the committee “would review the status and adequacy of available studies
and project documents relating to the establishment of coal fired power plants
in the country and make recommendations towards facilitating investment in coal
to power generation.”
“The
members of the committee will also liaise with other stakeholder agencies to
review current initiatives of private investors on coal to power and advice on
areas of possible support and collaboration with the ministry, and also make
other recommendations towards facilitating the utilization of coal for power
generation.” He added.
The committee
headed by Mr Garba has assured the federal government that the committee will
work according to its term of reference.
Elsewhere the
Minister of State for Power, Alhaja Zainab Kuchi, while speaking with reporters
at the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja on Wednesday
assured Nigerians that power generation in Nigeria will peak at 10,000MW by the
end of December, 2014. She said this while in company of the Minister of Power.
“In 2014,
we envisage 10,000MW. God willing, with our short term, long term and immediate
strategies that we have in the ministry, working assiduously with all the other
stakeholders in the power sector, we envisaged we would make it. With all the
other NIPP work going on and the Niger Delta Power Company coming up and to be
commissioned by December 2013, we look forward to 10,000MW come December 2014. And
this is what we are working towards; if we succeed making it more than that, we
are very happy people. But we are focused on actually delivering 10,000MW by
2014. And this, by our calculations and data we have on ground, will give at
least between 17 and 18 hours of power supply to Nigerians.”
Don’t hold
your breath though, remember “6,000MW by December 2009” was much publicized
than this and we are yet to generate 6,000MW even by July 2013. Let us wait and
see what happens by December 2014, then we can praise them (hopefully).
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FG to generate 4000MW from coal, says you should expect 18 hours daily supply by 2014