Nigeria: Electricity – FG to Set Up Megawatt Solar Farms
Source: Daily Trust (Abuja) /AllAfrica.com
Misbahu Bashir, Abuja /5 December 2007
http://allafrica.com/stories/200712050712.html
The Federal Government is to set up megawatt class solar farms for the generation of electricity in the country. Minister of State for Energy (Power) Mrs. Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim gave the indication at the National Solar Energy Forum tagged ‘Harnessing Solar Energy for Rural Development’ in Abuja. She said the government would soon embark on studies towards implementing large scale megawatt class farms for integration into the national grid. “Government has recognised the benefits in solar energy and other renewable energy resources for rural development” she said.
The minister revealed that Nigeria is blessed with solar energy with radiation intensity ranging from 3.5 kilowatt per square metre per day in the southern region to 7.0 kilowatt per square metre per day in the northern region. She noted that renewable energy contributes 16 percent of electricity needs to play a greater role within the short, and medium and long term planning horizon.
“While government continue to engage intensively in the development of electric power with a view to making it available to 75 percent of the populace by the year 2020, it is however disheartening to note that access to electricity is hovering at about 40 percent” she said. The Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Professor A. S. Sambo said the awareness programme on solar energy is motivated by the need to improve the accessibility and affordability of energy for all.