Nigeria’s Power Demand to Surge to 88,282Megawatts by 2020

Nigeria’s Demand for power has been estimated to hit about 88,282megawatts  by 2020 to level up with activities of the nation’s fast growing economy.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, who made this known in Lagos, said the nation should adopt alternative sources of energy to meet its energy requirement in the long run.

“With an estimated yearly economic growth rate of between seven per cent and 13 per cent, as well as an urbanisation rate of 3.8 per cent, Nigeria’s electricity demand is projected to grow from 15,730MW in 2016 to 41,133MWby 2018 and 88,282MW by 2020 respectively,”he said.

He pointed out that Nigeria is endowed with fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources, but the energy situation is yet to be structured and managed in such a way as to ensure energy sustainability and development.

“The commitment of the government towards utilizing alternative energy sources can be appreciated as we see more projects being implemented using solar and other renewable energy sources like biomass and wind,” he said.

Giving the breakdown of how the nation’s electricity is being utilized in sectors, he said residential customers consume about 60 per cent; commercial takes 24 per cent; industrial,12 per cent; special customers, 1.4 per cent; street lights, 0.6 per cent; and international customers consumes 2 per cent.

According to him, the increase in demand for electric power is noticeable in the residential sector due to increase in population, greater need for housing and rural electrification.