Hydro-power Projects Can Solve National Energy Challenge, Says UNIDO

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Regional Director and representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), UNIDO regional hub, Nigeria, Jean. B Bakole, has said the country’s energy crisis is surmountable with renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar, biomass and wind.

He stated this at a capacity-building workshop on small hydropower development for renewable energy development and financial institutions in Nigeria held at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, Cross River State.

The UNIDO assisted N8.2 billion hydro-electricity project in Obudu Ranch Resort in the state to provide alternative electricity to the state and other surrounding states was also flagged off by the state Governor, Ben Ayade, at the occasion.

Bakole identified energy as a critical input for economic growth and sustainable industrial development of any country, and expressed delight that Nigeria is rich in renewable energies.

According to him, “Fortunately, Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar, biomass and wind.

“Among the renewable energy resources, Small Hydropower (SHP) holds great potential towards increasing access to electricity and addressing climate change.

“Recent government estimates indicated that SHP accounts for about 15 percent of a hydropower potential of approximately 24,00MW.”

He stated that in spite of power potential as enumerated above, electricity access in Nigeria was still less than 60 percent resulting in a significant gap between demand and supply prompting UNIDO in conjunction with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and the Nigerian Government to launch the ‘Scaling Up Small Hydropower (SHP)’ project in 2015.

Bakole stressed that the workshop was aimed at focusing on raising awareness among policy makers, project developers and financial institutions on the viability of SHP as an effective means of generating electricity and enhancing economic development.

Flagging off the workshop, Ayade challenged Nigerian engineers to rise to the occasion and undertake such simple engineering tasks as building dams which the Chinese construct with ease.

“After the construction of the Obudu hydropower project, let the next plant be constructed by Nigerian engineers because we have those willing to acquire the skill.

“I declare this workshop open with a sense of melancholy because I find it difficult to understand why at this age, we are still where we are. Black is no longer a colour but an expression of failure, and it is my sincere faith that we grow beyond the level we are,” the governor said.