Experts advocate renewables, microgrids to tackle power crisis

By Udeme Akpan Power sector experts have called for increased investment in renewable energy and microgrids to complement the national grid and address Nigeria’s persistent electricity supply challenges. They made the call in separate interviews with Vanguard on the sidelines of the recently concluded Nigeria Energy Summit at Landmark, Lagos. Product Manager, DEIF, Anshul Alankar, said Nigeria needed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar power, noting that the national grid could not meet the country’s growing electricity demand. He said renewable energy offered an opportunity to expand access to electricity, especially for businesses and households seeking more reliable power supply. “The reality is that renewable energy is the in-thing, and government policy also supports it.

It is important to latch on to it as early as possible, especially for the commercial sector and even for individual users. “The grid system is not able to provide all the electricity and power needed by Nigerians and Africans to maintain sustainable energy. “Renewable is a major aspect of Nigeria’s power sector. Nigeria has surplus solar energy, and microgrids will help because you don’t need huge infrastructure to bring power across the country. “Microgrids are a more efficient way of handling local and rural areas. You can create your own grid, minimise fuel consumption and maximise the sun, which is free,” he said. Alankar said the increasing demand for decentralised electricity was driving the development of systems that integrate solar power, battery storage, generators and the national grid. He said the company’s solutions were designed to improve fuel efficiency, optimise battery performance and maximise the use of solar energy. “The priority should be mostly…