December 8, 2017

A Renewable Energy Expert, Mr Yomi Kolawole, has urged the Federal Government to create more business atmosphere that would enable the spread of renewable energy, to tackle communities without electricity.

Kolawole, who is also Chief Executive Officer, Topain Energy Solution Ltd., Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

He said that it was important to have a suitable atmosphere to accelerate the spread of renewable energy, adding that the hydro power plants had not been able to bridge the energy needs sufficiently.

“To expedite the spread of renewable energy, government should grant five years or more tax rebates for importers and assemblers of Nigerians in the sector.

“However, government should pass a law to compel Nigerians to patronise local producers in order to boost the sector adequately,’’ Kolawole said.

He noted that the importance of renewable energy could not be over emphasized because of its environmental friendly nature.

The expert added that it was disturbing that in spite the potential of renewable energy in the country, the nation’s economy could not distribute beyond 10,000 Megawatts of energy.

“We must begin to take the immense advantage of sunlight, especially in the Northern part of the country to boost our solar energy needs.

“Even the possibilities of wind energy are not yet harnessed enough to reduce the electricity lag in spite the potential of the sector and the presumed prospect.’’

Despite efforts by the Federal Government to provide electricity in the country, the World Bank had said that over 80 million Nigerians had no access to electricity.

The World Bank Country Director, Nigeria, Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, stated this at the 4th Action Learning event on Upscaling Mini Grids for low-cost and timely access to electricity.

The occasion was organised by the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, in Abuja.

Benmessaoud, however, said the Bank had provided $350m loan for the development of rural electrification projects in Nigeria.