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Proposed Nuclear Power Plants’ll Boost Electricity – Expert
A Russian nuclear energy expert has said that the construction of a proposed Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Nigeria is capable of delivering stable and affordable electricity in the country.
Dmitry Shornikov, also the Chief Executive Officer, Central and Southern Africa, Nuclear Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), said this in an interview text emailed to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
According to the expert, another advantage of NPP is the predictability of the price of electricity, which has a life span range of between 60 to 80 years.
“Another proven advantage of nuclear power is its environmental friendliness, NPPs do not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere during their operation.
“First and foremost, I have to point out that nuclear energy is not a competitor with other energy sources but rather a compliementary base load source.
“Nuclear power is characterised by the very large amount of energy available from a very small amount of fuel.
“The amount of waste is correspondingly very small, for example, 25 tons of uranium generates roughly the same amount of electricity as 2.7 million tons of coal.
“The nuclear sector is also the only energy sector that safely stores 100 per cent of all its waste.
“As far as security of supply goes, nuclear is unrivalled, new generation NPPs are able to achieve net capacity factors of well over 90 per cent, whereas renewable sources for instance achieve far less than half of that.
“The net capacity factor is essentially the ratio of a power plants’ actual output over a period of time, when compared to its potential output if it were possible for it to operate at full capacity continuously over same period of time.
“Nuclear energy, therefore, becomes a vital component in the development of a clean energy mix in any country.’’
He said that the primary energy consumption in Nigeria was largely through traditional biomass and waste, consisting of wood, charcoal, manure, and crop residues.
This, according to him, accounts for 74 per cent of energy mix in Nigeria.
“This high share represents the use of biomass to meet off-grid heating and cooking needs, mainly in rural areas.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimated that 115 million people in Nigeria rely on traditional biomass and waste as their main sources of energy.
“The other 26 per cent is made up of oil, gas and hydropower. In recent years, the electricity production from hydroelectric sources has plunged due to water shortages and climate change.’’
On safety concerns raised over the proposed NPP in Nigeria, Dmitry said; “Modern nuclear reactors and plants have proved to be real ‘workhorses’ for developed and developing countries.
“They are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the world.’’
He said the multiple layers of physical security, inherent in NPP, together with high levels of operational performance, protects plant workers, the public and the environment.
“Nuclear plants are well-designed, operated by trained personnel, defended against all forms of attacks and prepared in the event of an emergency.
“All the standards in the sphere of NPP construction and exploitation are well elaborated and being monitored constantly by high-level team of international experts from IAEA and key Member-States.
“Stringent international regulation, automated, redundant safety systems and the industry’s commitment to comprehensive safety procedures keep nuclear power plants and their communities safe.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria is among the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) a regional cooperative aspect of IAEA.
Dmitry said Nigeria needs to diversify to other energy sources like nuclear power as “not many sources alone can provide a sustainable, economically viable and secure supply of electricity.
“Therefore, an energy mix is crucial because different sources can bring together these three factors’’.
“Hydrocarbons such as coal for instance are economically viable and offer stable power but are unfortunately very bad for the environment.
“Renewable such as wind and solar are great for the environment but are irregular by nature, and only produce electricity when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.
“There is unfortunately no economically viable methods of storing power at this point.”
He said it was also important not to be overly dependent on a single source of power, as many African countries were excessively dependent on hydro, which has proved detrimental in the ever changing climate conditions.
Dmitry said the inclusion of nuclear energy to Nigerian’s energy mix would provide much needed diversity and stability to the country’s energy mix.
“Nuclear energy and renewable are not mutually exclusive, each of them has its advantages and models of use, both sources are clean and eco-friendly.”
He said a recent analysis conducted by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) indicated that nuclear plants create some of the largest economic benefits when compared to all other generating sources.
According to NEI, the operation of a nuclear plant requires the highest number of skilled workers per kWh produced when compared to any other technology.
“On average, these jobs pay 36 per cent more than the average salaries in the area where the plant is constructed.
“New plant construction creates a direct demand for thousands of locally sourced skilled labourers such as welders, pipefitters, masons, carpenters, millwrights, sheet metal workers, electricians’ and heavy equipment operators among others.
He further listed benefits to be derived from the implementation of NPP projects to include availability of local investments aimed at maintaining the well-being of the region and development of science and technology.
The ROSATOM official said that the continuous development of the sectors would transform the country into a major economic force on the continent and on the global market.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.