The Federal Government has concluded plans to boost electricity generation in the country with two small hydro power plants capable of adding 2000KW of electricity to the country’s energy capacity. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a press conference to announce the outcome of Nigeria’s participation at the 7th General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which ended recently.
Onu said Nigeria would not be left behind in the global quest for renewable energy which saw the world investing $300bn in the sector in 2016; adding that Nigeria had taken various steps to increase her energy mix.
According to him, the steps include the plan to establish two small hydro power plants in Katsina and Zamfara states with the capacity of 2000KW. While 1000KW would be off grid, he said, 1000KW would be injected into the national grid to boost power supply across the country.
Onu said renewable energy had become very important all over the world and Nigeria in particular because of the need for sustainable energy and the need to preserve an environment that is safe for human habitation.
He said, “We will like to preserve our environment and to hand over to our children and the future generation a planet that is habitable.
“The world is moving towards renewable energy as the only way to energy sustainability and energy security.”
Nigeria was elected one of the four vice presidents of the International Renewable Energy Agency. It is the responsibility of those elected to prepare and chair the 8th Conference to be hosted by Abu Dhabi.