As an alternative to gas power plants which outputs have been hampered by incessant pipeline vandalisation, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the federal government have discovered over 200 potential Small Hydro Power (SHP) sites across the country with cumulative capacity for 3.1 megawatts.
Already, three SHP projects have been completed in Taraba, Bauchi and Enugu while there are on-going projects in Ogun, Benue and Osun states.
Also, feasibility studies with detailed projects reports and bankable document are ready on 19 of the over 200 sites according to Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, the Officer in Charge of UNIDO Regional Office, Nigeria.
With this development, electrification of rural areas and provision of clean energy is within achievement.
Over the years, electricity supply in Nigeria has been unreliable with frequent shutdowns, load shedding and grid failures.
The country’s estimated electricity demand is about 15, 000 MW but Nigeria’s total installed generating capacity is about 10,000 MW while actual electricity generation currently hovers around 4,000 MW.
In a statement by Emeka Ezekiel of UNIDO’s Communication and Media unit, Ezedinma said the UN agency is currently collaborating with the federal government to build human and institutional capacity to help achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.
“Already, UNIDO has supported the establishment of a Regional Centre for SHP development (RC-SHP) in Nigeria, in addition to developing local capacity for the fabrication of Small Hydro Power turbines to reduce project cost”.
To increase awareness on its efforts at improving the the country’s power situation, UNIDO in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Environment, last Thursday held a one-day seminar on the development of Small Hydro Power (SHP) Projects in Nigeria.
The seminar, facilitated by experts in SHP projects planning and development, brought together key stakeholders in the energy sector, including the United Nations agencies and multilateral organizations, to identify promoters and investors for the final development of SHP sites across the country with a cumulative capacity of generating at least 3.1MW of electricity.
The project falls under the framework of UNIDO/Global Environmental Facility (GEF-5) project, “Scaling Up Small Hydro Power in Nigeria.”
According to Ezedinma, the Small Hydro Power Project in Nigeria is part of UNIDO’s wider renewable and rural energy effort aimed at promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) globally .
He added that clean and sustainable energy is an integral part of UNIDO’s overall mandate to support efforts geared towards productive activities which will ultimately lead to creating shared prosperity, advancing economic competitiveness and safeguarding the environment.
“SHP in Nigeria, especially in rural areas has the potential to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 9 by ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all and to build resilient infrastructure ” , Ezedinma explained.
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