Energy Change is coming and we'll be there to welcome her

Total explores alternative energy solutions

MAY 7, 2015 : AGENCY REPORT
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Total Nigeria Plc has expressed commitment to exploring alternative energy solutions in a bid to bring respite to homes and help the nation address reasonably the electricity supply challenge.

The oil major, in a statement on Wednesday, said it had commenced a new Solar Home Solutions to be implemented in pilot phases for households throughout the federation. This innovation complements the recent introduction of solar rechargeable lamps and solar-powered filling stations by the company.

The Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Alexis Vovk, on the occasion of the Seventh Lagos State Summit for Climate Change, said with the global climate change and increasing carbon emission becoming one of the most serious threats facing humanity, Total Nigeria saw the need for alternative energy technologies and solutions.

“In our efforts to lead the campaign for a greener tomorrow, we have taken bold steps to venture into a more environment-friendly energy solutions,” he said.

He lamented the huge gap in electricity supply and demand in the country, making reference to the International Energy Agency’s Africa Energy Outlook, which stated that about 93 million out of Nigeria’s 170 million population (55 per cent of the population), lack access to electricity.

He also noted that Nigeria’s current electricity generation of 5,500MW (according to the Minister of Power) is not sufficient to meet the demand of the entire country which is estimated at 200,000MW; the result of which is to resort to the use of costly alternative sources of energy that are fossil fuel-based and which contribute to the already high carbon emission level in Nigeria.

“The level of CO2 emission from gaseous fuel consumption in Nigeria as of 2011was estimated to be at 23.58M MT (World Development Indicators). Hence, the need for the development of alternative energy sources with lower carbon footprint cannot be overemphasized,” he said.

Vovk re-emphasised that energy is essential for national development; and as such no developing country can achieve economic sustainability without adequate energy supplies to meet her global need.