Why FG needs to diversify to renewable energy — Expert

A  renewable energy consultant, Mr Yemi Kolawole, has urged the Federal Government to diversify some of its electricity needs to renewable  energy sources to curb incessant blackouts caused by grid collapse.

Kolawole, who is the Chief Executive Officer, CEO Topian Energy, made the urge in an interview with  journalists in Lagos on Monday.

According to him, diversifying some of its electricity needs to renewable energy sources will reduce the incessant blackout in the country.

“We cannot be relying on a few hydro dams and gas powered stations, with a population of over 200 million people.

“Our government must begin to harness alternative energy sources to shore up our electricity needs to industrialise,” Kolawole said.

He noted that the Federal Government could invest in more renewable energy because it is environmentally friendly and the energy of the future.

“This source of energy is the best, owing to its green nature and does not cause any sort of emission to the ecosystem.

“This is so because unlike other sources which exacerbate the climate change challenge, it does not pose a threat to humanity,” Kolawole said.

He noted that the tiers of government could harness enormous sources that renewable energy provides owing to the country’s weather patterns.

“The authorities could take advantage of the intense sunlight to power government institutions and homes with solar energy supplies.

“While wind turbines or mills cold be built in areas that are desert prone, so as to meet their energy needs,” he said.

The Nigeria Electricity System Operator (NESO), an arm of the Federal Government’s power transmission company, said that the national electricity grid crashed from  3,703 megawatts to as low as nine megawatts in June.

Data sourced from the NESO in Abuja, which showed the performance of the national grid on Sunday, indicated that the peak generation on Sunday of 3,703 megawatts was recorded at 5 a.m.

Various distribution companies  including Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, among others, had confirmed the grid collapse in various messages.

Lafarge Africa Plc, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, has unveiled Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as chairperson of the fifth edition of Concrete Ideas; its public policy thought-leadership series.

Mrs Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, Head, Corporate Communications, Lafarge Africa Plc, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Frank-Durugbor said that the Governor would lead other renowned experts across all sectors of the construction industry to proffer far-reaching solutions for the sector.

She said that the event was not only a high-profile platform for the discussion of construction and real estate sector policies but also serve to deliberate on broader public policy problems.

Frank-Durugbor added that the event had become a catalyst for the attainment of sustainable change, continuous improvement and commercial success within the sector.

She said that Concrete Ideas 5.0 would allow key stakeholders and participants to share their voices and learn from a broad spectrum of speakers in the Nigerian built and construction landscape.

“The fifth edition with the theme: “Building Up Safely: Government – Industry Collaborations” is scheduled for June 28 at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

“It gives us a unique opportunity to take a vibrant and enticing look at how high-rise buildings could be a solution to the problem of scarcity and high cost of accommodation in urban centres in Nigeria.

“We believe this could be a spur of investment in the construction and real estate sector of our economy and we are looking forward to another engaging, informative and robust session from key speakers and participants at the event.

“Lafarge working with lead stakeholders in the built and construction industry has created a succinct and coherent policy blueprint from the public policy series.

“This new policy blueprint is expected to be unveiled at the event,” she said.

She listed other experts to include: Dr. Idris Salako, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Monsurat Adeoye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure.

Others are Arc. Gbolahan Oki, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs Olajumoke Akinwunmi, Acting Chairman, Purpl, Mrs Saadiya Aliyu, Managing Director, Urban Shelter Ltd and Kehinde Osinaike, General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).