Nigerians spend N4.9 trillion yearly to fuel generators in their homes and offices.
The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action /Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo made the revelation during a campaign and capacity building workshop on energy transmission for Africa held in Abuja.
Ojo explained that the expenditure of the huge amount was partly responsible for the appalling level of poverty among Nigerians.
He said that findings revealed that 80 percent of Nigerians do not have access to power supply, adding that it was incumbent on the government to invest in renewable energy to ensure uninterrupted supply of power in the country.
Ojo said: “The Nigeria’s economic recovery Growth plan (ER) aims to optimise operational production of 10 GW with increased use of clean energy by 2020 . Clearly ,this plan has already hit the rocks as 2020 is around the corner and electricity supply hovers around 5,000 mw on average.
“Currently about 70% of energy produced in Nigeria is self produced . According to ECN data Nigeria will need 50Gws of power generation to sustain the population by 2030. Hence the urgent need to leapfrog the conventional energy system to renewable energy sources.
“Renewable energy has tremendously boosted the economy of China , the leading country on renewable energy ,and increased their employment rate.
According to the international Renewable Energy Agency, Eleven million people were employed in renewable energy sector worldwide in 2018.
“The energy future we want is energy that is easily accessible ,durable and supports healthy environment. The Nigerian government and other African government should develop a blueprint that will gradually move the continent from crude and other non- renewable energy to renewable,” the agency said.
