ROSATOM underscores need for nuclear power to tackle erratic electricity supply

Nuclear energy development has been proffered as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to Nigeria’s perennial electricity shortfall.

ROSATOM, Russia’s State owned nuclear energy corporation, which is also the global leader in nuclear power plant services – made this known in a statement.

Recall, the Nigerian Federal Government, last October, signed an agreement with ROSATOM for the construction of a nuclear power plant and research centre in Nigeria. This is with a view to diversify Nigeria’s current energy generation mix.

Other leading African nations, including: Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa, are currently embracing the prospects of nuclear energy – as a solution to their energy shortfalls – with the Russian energy state-owned corporation.

The company added that electricity generated from nuclear energy has a bright future in Nigeria’s energy mix, adding that this was borne out of the fact that Nigeria’s existing overdependence on hydro and thermal power plants can’t meet growing electricity demand and forecasts – from households and businesses.

ROSATOM said that Nigeria’s yearly energy demand is on a steady rise. “Unfortunately electric energy supply generally is unable to meet this rapidly growing pace,” the statement highlighted.

It further pointed out that Nigeria’s expanding industrial sector, rapid urbanization rate of 3.8 per cent, growth of the middleclass and incomes, coupled with overall annual population growth of 2.6 percent – are major drivers of the nation’s increasing electricity demand.

“In order for Nigeria to achieve a balanced energy mix, the country should consider all available sustainable sources of energy. Nuclear, Solar, wind and hydro power complement and reinforce one another – to form a green square. These, will eventually, become the standard for the world’s future carbon-free energy mix,” the statement noted.

ROSATOM further stressed, a sustainable energy mix with the inclusion of nuclear energy will contribute in no small way to Nigeria’s economy – thus making local businesses competitive and attractive on the global market.

According to ROSATOM, electricity generated from nuclear energy is more reliable than other sources of renewable and sustainable energy.

This, it emphasized, is borne out of the fact solar and wind energy are dependent upon weather conditions. Nuclear Power plants, on the other hand, are free of such constraints.

Minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, had said that the Federal Government in diversifying its energy mix beyond the traditional sources of gas, oil and hydro to include nuclear and other renewable sources like solar, biomass and wind.
According to Fashola, all the procurement activities for the first nuclear power plant, with generation capacity of 1,200mw of power to the national grid by 2025 would be done as scheduled.