The Nigeria - International Monetary Fund Staff visits Energy Commission of Nigeria
The Nigeria -International Monetary Fund Staff visited the Energy Commission of Nigeria's Headquarters Abuja for consultations to seek the
Commission's view on developments in the energy sector and the country as a whole on the following areas:
- Overview of the Sector, Capacity, Sources and Cost of generation.
- Measures to increase supply and discussion of ongoing investments in the sector.
- Measures to reduce emissions including role of green energy (solar, hydro and wind) including targets and progress.
- Progress in attracting private investments into green energy.
The team lead Reginald Darius (Senior Economist IMF/HQ) said he thought it useful to be in the Commission and asked for the role of the
Commission in the above points.
The Director Legal Services Department of the Commission Barr. A. Y. Elamah welcomed them on behalf of the Director General Dr Mustapha
Abdullahi who was away on a National Assignment and called on the Director, Renewable Energy Engr. F. Sulu to give a brief of the Commission.
There was an extensive discussion on the points listed above by our experts.
The visitors were informed that Board of the Commission comprises of the President as the Chairman, the Director General as the Secretary some
key Federal Ministries as members like the Federal Ministries of Defence, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Waterboard etc.
It was pointed out that Nigeria does not generate much power compared to other countries, losses are involved due to energy theft, erratic
transmission due to aged equipment and some Nigerians using light without metering, majority of this power is from fossil fuel though the Government is trying to
transit from fossil fuel to gas/RE.
One of the experts spoke briefly on NECAL a tool that projects enough supply and reduce emissions at a faster rate.
It was reiterated that the dominance of biomass constitutes more than 50% of our energy supply, the constraints involved in the govt policy to
transmit to gas, gas supply, inadequate CNG centers etc.
It was further reiterated that the ratio of 80% thermal and 20% hydro is very high in terms of energy security and that the capacity of the
power plant can be increased, there should be the integration of other energy Sources to the national grid and also that local content is an issue, pointing out
that there should be synergy between the Federal Ministries of Finance, Transport, Housing, Works and the Supplier.
On the Question of Constraints and Challenges, it was said that the main challenge is Funding.
The meeting ended with the Presentation of some of the Commission's Publications to the visitors.
The Director, Legal Services and Energy Law Barr. A. Y. Elamah representing the Director General presenting some of the Commission's Publications to the team lead Reginald Darius.
The Nigeria - International Monetary Fund Staff in a group photogragh with some members of the ECN Management Staff.