This document discusses the importance of stable electric power supply for economic growth. It notes that power is essential for factories, hospitals, schools and other institutions to function. Without power, businesses close and unemployment rises, hurting the overall economy. The document then discusses power supply issues in sub-Saharan Africa specifically, where only 29% of the population has access to electricity on average, compared to 99% in developed countries. This low access to power contributes to sub-Saharan Africa's lower economic growth and human development. Nigeria's history of power supply challenges and recent privatization of its electric sector are also summarized.
Los días 28 y 29 de enero de 2016, la Fundación Ramón Areces organizó en colaboración con Economics for Energy una reunión científica sobre 'Los retos económicos de la energía'. En ella participó Dan Dorner, quien ofreció una conferencia sobre 'Perspectivas energéticas para África '.
There is no doubt that africa is on the rise.the continent is home to six of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world.the middle class is growing rapidly and leaders across the continent are creating more opportunities for their people than ever before. Child mortality rates are declining, while life-expectancy is increasing.
Despite these advances, challenges to africa’s rapid pace of growth and development remain. approximately 600 million africans still lack access to electricity, affecting their access to quality health care and education, as well as fewer economic opportunities.the needs and the challenges are enormous, but so too are the opportunities. that is why one year ago, president obama launched Power Africa, and laid out very ambitious goals — to add 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new power generation and expand access to power to 20 million households and businesses. our long-term aim is to double access to cleaner, reliable and efficient electricity in sub-Saharan africa.this is not only the right thing to do for the people of africa, but for the global community who will benefit from an even stronger and dynamic africa for generations to come. through this initiative, we have brought all of the tools and capabilities of the u.S. Government to bear to meet these ambitious targets and to have a meaningful impact on africa’s energy poverty.
President Obama and the heads of each of the twelve participating U.S. Government agencies are leading this effort, and uSaID has the honor of coordinating Power Africa — the first Presidential initiative to be headquartered in africa. the u.S. Government cannot achieve these goals alone. Power Africa’s success will be measured by the strength of our partnerships with african governments, multilateral institutions, donors, and the private sector. private sector investors are seizing the opportunity that africa’s rapidly growing population and consumer market represents.
But investments will only flow where there is a business- friendly investment climate, which seeks to limit the uncertainty and risk involved in any long-term investment. african leaders recognize the critical role of the private sector in meeting africa’s energy needs and have shown a serious commitment to making the tough reforms needed to attract that investment, and to ensure that investment flows continue to rise.the response from the private sector, both from the u.S. and africa, has been overwhelming. as a result, Power Africa has helped facilitate the financial close of private sector transactions which expect to produce nearly 2,800 MW of new generation capacity. this private sector-led model for engaging countries is yielding results around the world. as president obama said in Cape town,“we are moving beyond the simple provision of foreign aid, to a new model of partnership between the united States and africa – a partnership of equals that focuses on your capacity to solve problems...
Los días 28 y 29 de enero de 2016, la Fundación Ramón Areces organizó en colaboración con Economics for Energy una reunión científica sobre 'Los retos económicos de la energía'. En ella participó Dan Dorner, quien ofreció una conferencia sobre 'Perspectivas energéticas para África '.
There is no doubt that africa is on the rise.the continent is home to six of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world.the middle class is growing rapidly and leaders across the continent are creating more opportunities for their people than ever before. Child mortality rates are declining, while life-expectancy is increasing.
Despite these advances, challenges to africa’s rapid pace of growth and development remain. approximately 600 million africans still lack access to electricity, affecting their access to quality health care and education, as well as fewer economic opportunities.the needs and the challenges are enormous, but so too are the opportunities. that is why one year ago, president obama launched Power Africa, and laid out very ambitious goals — to add 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new power generation and expand access to power to 20 million households and businesses. our long-term aim is to double access to cleaner, reliable and efficient electricity in sub-Saharan africa.this is not only the right thing to do for the people of africa, but for the global community who will benefit from an even stronger and dynamic africa for generations to come. through this initiative, we have brought all of the tools and capabilities of the u.S. Government to bear to meet these ambitious targets and to have a meaningful impact on africa’s energy poverty.
President Obama and the heads of each of the twelve participating U.S. Government agencies are leading this effort, and uSaID has the honor of coordinating Power Africa — the first Presidential initiative to be headquartered in africa. the u.S. Government cannot achieve these goals alone. Power Africa’s success will be measured by the strength of our partnerships with african governments, multilateral institutions, donors, and the private sector. private sector investors are seizing the opportunity that africa’s rapidly growing population and consumer market represents.
But investments will only flow where there is a business- friendly investment climate, which seeks to limit the uncertainty and risk involved in any long-term investment. african leaders recognize the critical role of the private sector in meeting africa’s energy needs and have shown a serious commitment to making the tough reforms needed to attract that investment, and to ensure that investment flows continue to rise.the response from the private sector, both from the u.S. and africa, has been overwhelming. as a result, Power Africa has helped facilitate the financial close of private sector transactions which expect to produce nearly 2,800 MW of new generation capacity. this private sector-led model for engaging countries is yielding results around the world. as president obama said in Cape town,“we are moving beyond the simple provision of foreign aid, to a new model of partnership between the united States and africa – a partnership of equals that focuses on your capacity to solve problems...
Prospect and Challenges of Renewable Energy Resources Exploration, Exploitati...IJERDJOURNAL
ABSTRACT: This paper enumerates the status and challenges of exploration, exploitation and development of renewable energy resources and its roles in sustainable development in Africa. A brief review of energy and renewable energy resources in Africa was succinctly done. The concept of sustainable development as it borders on the Renewable Energy Technologies and their roles were also discussed. The challenges facing the acceptance, deployment and promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies in Africa were also highlighted. The barriers were classified as; policy, regulation and institutional; information and technical capacity and financial. Recommendations were made towards solving problems peculiar to exploration, exploitation and development of Renewable Energy in entirety in Africa.
How & why to end our dependence on oil? Mayank Mehta
How & why to end our dependence On oil?
clean energy, problem of subsidy, nuclear energy, black marketing, hybrid cars, renewable energy, wind, solar, ocean thermal
Il World Energy Focus, nuovo mensile online della WEC's community, una e-publication gratuita per essere sempre aggiornato sugli sviluppi del settore energetico. Il World Energy Focus contiene news, interviste esclusive e uno spazio dedicato agli eventi promossi dai singoli Comitati Nazionali.
Massachusetts - Israel Cleantech OpportunitiesMark J. Feldman
Executive Summary:
- Israel is particularly strong in R&D
- World class universities; large % of MDs, engineers and scientists
- Small domestic market results in focus on international markets and willingness to locate HQ or manufacturing abroad to secure proper funding and market access.
- Opportunities in the clean energy sector:
- The solar energy industry - installation and manufacturing opportunities.
- Electric cars – energy storage, converters etc. for electric cars and the needed infrastructure
Solar energy as a potential contributor to help bridge the gap between electr...IJAAS Team
The pivotal role of electricity is as an enabler for every other sector in any economy. Adequate electricity supply is a vital input for the economic growth and in a range of key industries. Unfortunately, the electricity sector in Iraq has been an unsustainable fiscal burden on successive Iraqi governments yet it has not been able to meet the growing demand. Iraq’s electricity sector and government’s decision makers should look for a longterm solutions and strategies to meet the current and future demand, by taking important steps towards fostering a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity system in the years and decades to come. Also, Iraqi government and ministry of electricity in particular should understand that electricity is basic service and right of Iraqis, and many nations have overcome this kind of problem decades ago. Overcoming this problem will help refueling Iraqi economy and enable it to stand on its feet again. Renewable energy resources, and solar in particular could be part of the solution. This paper aims to highlight the importance of solar energy in Iraq as a potential contributor to help bridge the gap between electricity supply and growing demand. Also, it discusses the solar energy opportunities with challenges facing other renewable energy sources in Iraq.
Prospect and Challenges of Renewable Energy Resources Exploration, Exploitati...IJERDJOURNAL
ABSTRACT: This paper enumerates the status and challenges of exploration, exploitation and development of renewable energy resources and its roles in sustainable development in Africa. A brief review of energy and renewable energy resources in Africa was succinctly done. The concept of sustainable development as it borders on the Renewable Energy Technologies and their roles were also discussed. The challenges facing the acceptance, deployment and promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies in Africa were also highlighted. The barriers were classified as; policy, regulation and institutional; information and technical capacity and financial. Recommendations were made towards solving problems peculiar to exploration, exploitation and development of Renewable Energy in entirety in Africa.
How & why to end our dependence on oil? Mayank Mehta
How & why to end our dependence On oil?
clean energy, problem of subsidy, nuclear energy, black marketing, hybrid cars, renewable energy, wind, solar, ocean thermal
Il World Energy Focus, nuovo mensile online della WEC's community, una e-publication gratuita per essere sempre aggiornato sugli sviluppi del settore energetico. Il World Energy Focus contiene news, interviste esclusive e uno spazio dedicato agli eventi promossi dai singoli Comitati Nazionali.
Massachusetts - Israel Cleantech OpportunitiesMark J. Feldman
Executive Summary:
- Israel is particularly strong in R&D
- World class universities; large % of MDs, engineers and scientists
- Small domestic market results in focus on international markets and willingness to locate HQ or manufacturing abroad to secure proper funding and market access.
- Opportunities in the clean energy sector:
- The solar energy industry - installation and manufacturing opportunities.
- Electric cars – energy storage, converters etc. for electric cars and the needed infrastructure
Solar energy as a potential contributor to help bridge the gap between electr...IJAAS Team
The pivotal role of electricity is as an enabler for every other sector in any economy. Adequate electricity supply is a vital input for the economic growth and in a range of key industries. Unfortunately, the electricity sector in Iraq has been an unsustainable fiscal burden on successive Iraqi governments yet it has not been able to meet the growing demand. Iraq’s electricity sector and government’s decision makers should look for a longterm solutions and strategies to meet the current and future demand, by taking important steps towards fostering a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity system in the years and decades to come. Also, Iraqi government and ministry of electricity in particular should understand that electricity is basic service and right of Iraqis, and many nations have overcome this kind of problem decades ago. Overcoming this problem will help refueling Iraqi economy and enable it to stand on its feet again. Renewable energy resources, and solar in particular could be part of the solution. This paper aims to highlight the importance of solar energy in Iraq as a potential contributor to help bridge the gap between electricity supply and growing demand. Also, it discusses the solar energy opportunities with challenges facing other renewable energy sources in Iraq.
La politique sociale francaise tiraillée de toutes parts !Eric LEGER
Le gouvernement court un risque de claquage du fait du grand écart qu'il tente d'opérer entre les mouvements d'idées internes à la gauche (au sens large).
Pour reprendre une expression de coiffeur "on coupe tout en gardant la longueur".
Dis autrement, le gouvernement se targue de défendre le modèle social mais souhaite l'adapter.
Il souhaite se débarrasser d'une image d'immobilisme sur ce dossier, en menant des réformes (exemple sur la diminution progressive des allocations chômage) en partenariat fort avec les organisations syndicales.
Se positionnant dès à présent en vue des élections présidentielles de 2017, durant lesquelles le sujet du modèle social fera partie des thèmes phares, il souhaite se démarquer de l'orientation poussée à droite de vouloir casser le modèle.
Seulement, au-delà des mots (des maux également), les Français notent que l'engagement de François Hollande de redresser la courbe du chômage s'éloigne inéluctablement malgré toutes les tentatives d'aides financières.
Quelle politique alors mener pour redresser le navire avant qu'il n'échoue sur les récifs de la fronde populaire ?
Tel le mouvement dans le monde du travail vers "l'Entreprise libérée", le gouvernement doit à très court terme se réformer à plusieurs titres :
- vers une plus forte décentralisation (pouvoir de décision, financier, ...), au bénéfice des régions.
- vers une plus grande écoute d'acteurs innovants, dont les modèles de connaissance de l'individu permettent d'ajuster les besoins à la demande.
- vers une plus importante participation des instances sociales et des organisations syndicales, tant côté employeurs qu'employés, afin de prendre en compte leurs analyses terrain (plutôt que des rapports).
- ...
2016 doit être marquée par "l'année de la réconciliation", des actes !
MS4 File Three "Great Expectations" file and lessons plans including: a writing guide to _describing people, making plans, expressing conditions, time clauses words' formation, anatyzing features of a song...... and so many interesting tools.
Sustainable Infrastructural Development in Africa: The Build Operate and Tran...AJHSSR Journal
The build, operate and transfer (BOT) investment model can be advantageously adopted in Nigeria in
ensuring the rehabilitation of the decaying and obsolete electricity infrastructure in the country as low electricity
generation and consumption has serious negative implications on both the households and economic activities in
the economy. Thus, the objective of the paper is to interrogate the existing electricity infrastructure in Nigeria
and advocate for a form of private investment model. Using qualitative method and documentary evidence
predicted on the public-private partnership model, the study found that electricity infrastructure in Nigeria is
obsolete and inadequate. Power generation in Nigeria compared to other leading economies in Africa is
abysmally low due to lack of adequate investment in the sector. The BOT investment model has been used
successfully to build and maintain cost-intensive infrastructures like the power plants, highways, railways,
airports, etc in both developed and developing countries of the world; as seen in China, India, Pakistan,
Philippine, South Africa, Ghana, etc. Thus, the paper submits that the BOT alternative should be adopted to
address the power sector menace in the country.
Afghanistan power system development project final project under Massive Open...Atiqur Rahman Barbhuiya
Afghanistan is at the bottom 10% globally in electricity consumption per capita and only 28% of its population is connected to the grid. In June 2015 Afghanistan’s access to electricity rate is estimated at about 25% with about 1 million residential connections.
The demand for electricity is increasing steadily, and it is estimated that Afghanistan would require 3,000 MW of electricity to suffice its needs by 2020.
This project is conceived to solicit external aid from private and Donor agencies to meet the challenges described above and creating a framework for a sustainable, decentralised power supply using renewable energy sources. The project is preparedfor partial fulfillment of obtaining a certificate under Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Financing for Development (FFD): Unlocking Investment Opportunities
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
il World Energy Focus, nuovo mensile online della WEC's community, una e-publication gratuita per essere sempre aggiornato sugli sviluppi del settore energetico. Il World Energy Focus contiene news, interviste esclusive e uno spazio dedicato agli eventi promossi dai singoli Comitati Nazionali.
IOSR Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering(IOSR-JECE) is an open access international journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of electronics and communication engineering and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in electronics and communication engineering. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention (IJESI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of computer science and electronics. IJESI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Engineering Science and Technology, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY IS INDISPENSABLE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
1. ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY: AN INDISPENSABLE AGENT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
Power generation dates back to 1606 when Spanish inventor Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont
patented the first steam engine. That development was followed by the invention of a steam
pump by Thomas Savery in 1698 and an atmospheric engine by Thomas Newcomen in 1712.
By 1781, James Watt had patented a steam engine that performed continuous rotary motion
and that single invention fuelled the industrial revolution of the 18th/19th century. Although
Watt’s steam engine are no longer in direct use in the creation of mechanical motion and
power, the use of steam in electric power generation still remains the predominant means of
power generation, accounting for over 80 percent of world generation output. With the
invention of the electric motor and light bulbs in the 18th and 19th century respectively
coupled with technological advancement leading to manufacture of various consumer
electronics, human dependence on electric power has greatly increased that today, one can
safely say power is indispensable to our everyday life and economic growth. In this article, we
will consider the effects of stable power supply or otherwise on the economy and the
populace at large.
Why is Power so important to economic growth?
Just think about it for a moment. From homes, to offices, hospitals, schools, religious centres,
shops and malls, airports, hotels, recreation centres, right up to factories and manufacturing
plants, power is the one item people do not want to lose. Without power, factories shutdown,
hospitals lose many patients due to failure to operate certain life-support equipment and test
machines, many small and medium scale enterprises wind up due to high operating cost
relating to the use of generators and even at homes, the effect is seen on people’s faces and
on their skins. All these translate to more dependence on imported goods and services (as
opposed to locally manufactured/supplied ones), increase in the cost of goods and services
and general high cost of living. Millions of dollars that should ordinarily be spent in developing
local economy are spent on health/education tourism abroad. As a result of the closure of
many businesses, thousands lose their jobs and join the teeming population of skilled but
unemployed persons.
“Without heat, light and power you cannot build or run the factories and
cities that provide goods, jobs and homes, nor enjoy the amenities that make
2. life more comfortable and enjoyable. Energy is the “oxygen” of the economy
and the life-blood of growth particularly in the mass industrialization phase
that emerging economic giants are facing today as their per capita GDP moves
between approximately US $5,000 and US $15,000.” – Peter Voser, Chief
Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell, the Netherlands; Energy Community
Leader 2011, World Economic Forum.
As Voser rightly stated, energy (particularly power) has a direct effect on the economy and
the standard of living of any nation. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) reported in 2012 that about 1.3billion people worldwide still lack access to electricity
and that many of these ‘energy poor’ live in sub-Saharan Africa. Per capita electricity
consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is around 52 kilowatt-hour per capita while it is 2050
kilowatt-hour per capita in the state of New York in the United States of America, for example.
This means that the 19.5million inhabitants of New York State consume the same amount of
electricity in a year (40 Terawatt-hour) as the 791million people in sub-Saharan Africa
(International Energy Agency, IEA, 2010). In terms of access to electricity (power) around the
world, transition economies and countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD) have virtually universal access. Northern Africa has
almost universal access (roughly 99 percent), Latin America 93 percent, and the Middle East
89 percent. By contrast, southern Asia has an electrification rate of 60 percent, whereas sub-
Saharan Africa has a rate only around 29 percent. Together, the southern Asian and sub-
Saharan populations without electricity account for 83 percent of the world population
without electricity. Sub-Saharan Africa has by far the lowest urban and rural access rates, at
58 percent and 12 percent respectively (United Nations Development Programme/World
Health Organization, 2009).
The direct implication of the above statistics is that countries in sub-Saharan Africa obviously
witness lower rate of development and economic growth. As can be seen in Figure 1 below,
countries with higher percentages of electricity access have higher human development
index.
3. Another major effect of poor electricity access is the rate of unemployment. The rate of
unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa has for decades been said to be the highest in the world.
Figure 2 shows the world unemployment percentage by region and Figure 3 breaks down the
average employment percentage in 11 sub-Saharan African countries.
FIGURE 1: Electricity Access vs Human Development Index
FIGURE 2:
Unemployment
Percentage by
Region
Note: South-
Saharan Africa
references sub-
Saharan Africa.
Source: UN
ECA, 2005
4. Even among the employed, the standard of living of most people living in sub-Saharan Africa
cannot still be compared to that of people living in other parts of the world. As can be seen in
Table 1, an estimated 53.5% of the total number of people employed in sub-Saharan Africa in
2006 were ‘working poor’. This figure may even be an understatement since the working poor
work mostly in the informal sector and in agriculture where under-employment is the norm.
Workers in the informal sector tend to earn less than their counterparts in the formal sector.
Informal workers also tend to have little or no access to formal risk-coping mechanisms such
as insurance and pensions, or to services for production. They also lack the resources to pay
for housing, health care, education and training (International Labour Organization, ILO,
2002b).
FIGURE 3: Average Employment Percentage in 11 sub-Saharan African Countries
Source: Based on data from ILO LABORSTA online database.
5. Table 1: Proportions of Working Poor Internationally
Working Poor Shares (USD 1/day)
Region 1996 2006
WORLD 25.0 16.7
Developed Economies & European Union 0.1 0.0
Central & South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) & CIS 7.5 1.9
East Asia 19.5 9.5
South-East Asia & the Pacific 22.1 13.6
South Asia 56.6 33.5
Latin America & the Caribbean 12.1 8.0
North Africa 2.8 1.6
Sub-Saharan Africa 58.5 53.5
Middle East 2.3 4.9
Source: ILO, 2007.
Power Supply in Nigeria
In Nigeria, power generation dates back to 1898 when the first power plant was set up at
Marina, Lagos, to serve the need of the colonial masters. That was about 15 years after the
introduction of electricity in England. The plant had a total installed capacity of 60 kilowatts.
Following the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, other towns in
the country started to develop electric power supply system on individual scale as follows:
Port Harcourt (1928), Kaduna (1929), Enugu (1933), Maiduguri (1934), Yola (1937), Zaria
(1938), Warri (1939) and Calabar (1939). These plants owned by the Government and by
Native Authorities remained separate operational entities under the supervision/control of
the Public Works Department until Ordinance no. 15 of 1950 brought into existence the
Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN). Following Independence in 1960, the need to
increase electricity supply by harnessing energy from the country’s vast water resources led
to the creation of the Niger Dams Authority (NDA) in 1962. NDA was charged with the
responsibility of building dams for electricity generation and agricultural development. By 1st
6. April, 1972, NDA and ECN merged to form the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) – the
state-owned sole generator, transmitter and distributor of electricity in the country.
Following years of neglect by the government leading to dilapidation of power facilities and
breakdown of the transmission and distribution networks, the need to privatize the power
sector became paramount. Nigerians were tired of incessant power outages with its earlier-
discussed negative effects. The first major step towards the privatization of the electricity
industry in Nigeria began with the signing into law of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act
(EPSRA) on 5th May, 2005 and that brought into being the Power Holding Company of Nigeria
(PHCN) which was to act in the interim pending successful sale-off of the key power assets.
PHCN as a company was unbundled into 11 distribution and 6 generation companies. By 1st
November, 2013, the Federal Government through the Bureau for Public Enterprises had
successfully sold off 80% and 60% shares in the generation and distribution companies
respectively. The transmission sector remained 100% government-owned.
Freedom at last!
It has been two years now and Nigerians are beginning to enjoy the benefits of privatization.
Industry experts are of the opinion that after independence and democracy, the third best
thing that happened to Nigeria was the privatization of her power sector. Many of the
dilapidated structures and abandoned facilities are coming back to life through vigorous
overhaul exercise. Thanks to their new owners. This has led to increased generation and
distribution capacity and Nigerians can now enjoy between 16hours to 18hours of
uninterrupted power supply in some regions daily.
Perhaps one of the most outstanding benefits of privatization of the Nigerian power sector
besides increased power supply is employment opportunities for thousands of jobless
graduates. Many of the generation and distribution companies are already engaging the
services of hundreds of fresh graduate in a bid to pump in zeal, creativity and innovation to
the sector while also increasing human capital base. It is estimated that with the ongoing
expansion of distribution networks, upgrade of existing power plants and setting up of new
ones, thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities would spring up. All things
being equal, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) would equally bounce back due to
reduced operational cost brought about by steady power supply.
7. As I look into the future of the Nigerian power industry I see hope. I see smiles on the faces
of Nigerians. I see not just increase in GDP but tangible increase in the living standard of
people in interior villages. With barely 5,000 Megawatts on the national grid for about 180
million people the country indeed has not gotten to where it should be among the committee
of nations with universal access to electricity supply. However, I admit that steady progress
in getting things better is already on course and must be sustained. For power supply to be
stable and sufficient for the entire population and for the country’s economy to grow, all hand
must be on deck. The ongoing resuscitation of the industry must not be halted. Nigerians must
understand that if there was ever a time to have the best power supply in the world, it is now
and as such they should encourage every effort of the private sector in achieving that.
Government also must provide the enabling environment for more investors to come into the
sector and for existing investors to make good returns on their investments. Nigeria can be
the industrial hub of Africa and a steady, reliable and affordable electric power supply is a key
agent for her economic growth.
REFERENCES
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. BUREAU FOR DEVELOPMENT POLICY. (2012)
Integrating Energy Access and Employment Creation to Accelerate Progress on the MDGs in
sub-Saharan Africa. New York: U.N. Press.
Awosope C. A. (2014) Nigeria Electricity Industry: Issues, Challenges and Solutions. Public
Lecture Series Vol. 3 No. 2, Ota, Covenant University Press.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. (2012) Energy for Economic Growth. Davos-Klosters. Available at
reports.weforum.org. [Accessed 20th September, 2015].