NAEE wants FG to diversify into alternative energy sources

THE Nigeria Alternative Energy (NAEE) and the Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN) have urged the Federal Government FG to diversify the power sector by fully looking into alternative energy sources.

The Chairman, NAEE, Dr Magnus Onuoha stated this on Wednesday, at the 7th Edition of the Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria could generate a total of 5000mws in the next five years from Alternative source of energy if properly harnessed.

He said these forms of energy can be traded and exported to other countries as witnessed in Morocco.

Dr Magnus also decried the neglect of energy supply to the rural areas saying: “Nigeria’s roadmap to power sector reforms focused much on the development of on the grid electricity and the sector reform only extend the national grid to rural areas close to main urban areas, thus leaving the rural areas which constitute over 70% of the population without electricity”.

To this end, he called for FG’s active involvement in the use of alternative energy stating that;” at the end of this expo, we look forward to more engagement with the government.”

Earlier, The Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury stressed the importance of sustainable energy to meeting objectives of the sustainable development goal (SDGs) in terms of poverty eradication to quality education and economic growth.

He said; “off grid solutions and solar power technology offers shot cut to powering individuals, families and small business with minimal dependence on other electricity providers.

“Power is a major challenge in the world including Nigeria that challenge can be an opportunity for realizing full potential of renewable sources of energy, Nigeria alternative expo 2017 should have an important role to play in fostering discussion and focusing attention on the well-being of the Nigerian people.”