The founder of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP-), Dr Michael Terungwa David, has stated that the deployment of solar energy is the best option for Nigeria to bridge the energy gap in Nigeria with over 90 million people not connected to electricity.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, David said the potential of solar is huge as it is clean, affordable and it can easily be deployed in the remotest of places.
"So, if you add all that together, you see that solar is the best option at the moment for us to quickly close the gaps. I'm not leaving out the wind. We have great wind potential and there is bioenergy to an extent.
The country is also looking at the adoption of CNG for transportation."
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He stated that based on data, the southeast has the highest level of electrification while the northeast has the lowest rate of electrification.
He however said the north is where solar radiation is abundant and the power to provide reliable energy to the populace through solar energy.
He added that instability in the price of petrol is causing lots of homes to spend more money on alternatives, making generators the major energy producer in the country.
He added that panels produced in Europe are usually way higher, more expensive, but give a better result.
He said, "It's the same for batteries. But then, of course, we have our brothers in Asia who have found huge markets here in Africa and they keep pushing everything to us to the extent that we no longer check quality. All we are after is let's just have it, you know, let's just afford it.
"As far as it's affordable, we do. But that again is part of the reason why many Nigerians initially would say that solar does not work, you know, because of the low quality of solar and accessories that were imported into the country. But Nigerians are becoming more aware and even know more."
