Nigeria: Solar Energy And Competitive Advantage

Solar electric power systems are an effective energy conservation programme because they conserve costly conventional power for urban areas and town market centres including industrial, commercial and private uses. This will allow for decentralised solar generated power for lighting and satisfying basic electrical needs.

Solar technology applications are not being widely exploited and as such, many people have been left out of the development loop. Fortunately, through the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), the European Commission is committed to a meaningful partnership with emergent and transition countries.
In Nigeria, epileptic and inadequate public electricity power supply coupled with rising fuel and maintenance costs for generators is stifling socio-economic growth. Unable to cope, many people; notably the least empowered groups are facing a bleak future. Today, the cost of 1 litre of diesel fuel or kerosene is beyond what many can afford.

Solar electric power systems can be part of the solution but problem solving requires the sharing of accurate information, which will enable technocrats deliver practical solutions. Moreover, in the event that specialist equipment, personnel or facilities are required, suppliers must have surety of payment; this is a sensitive issue in that suppliers are risk averse entering new markets, particularly where they have no previous representation.

In Nigeria, malaria remains the number one killer, exceeding HIV-AIDS. Mosquitoes spread malaria but with a reliable source of electricity, wind generated by the turning blades of a ceiling or standing fan can blow mosquitoes away. Whereas solar electric light is entirely safe, the haphazard storage of kerosene, diesel and petrol for lamps and generators has led to fires killing and maiming many people annually.

AllAfrica