Industries Chart Course For Efficient Use Of Energy

Worried about the inefficient use of Nigeria’s limited power supply, stakeholders in the industrial sector, in conjunction with The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ of German government and the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) have developed a framework on Energy Management System (EnMS) in the sub-sector.

The initiative was announced last week, in Lagos, at the validation workshop on power demand and energy consumption survey in the industrial sector. It was organised by NESP, to provide an insight into energy requirement for the full industrialisation of the country. It was also organised to advocate sustainable energy and efficiency of usage in the industrial environment.

In attendance were the President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs; Director General, MAN, Remi Ogunmefun; Director, Technology, Innovation and Infrastructure, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), an engineer, David Ozigi; Head, Energy Efficiency Unit, Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP), Dr. Charles Diarra, among others.

In his opening remark, Dr Jacobs said the forum was timely as industries and the entire country were grappling with inadequate supply and sustenance of power infrastructure, stressing that there was a need to critically assess the power demand and energy consumption in order to avoid dire consequences such as further closures, massive job losses, youth unemployment and exacerbation of insecurity in the country.

In her address, Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mrs. Janet Omisore, represented by Kola Ademolu, urged support for the initiative, adding that no country “can develop without a strong industrial base that is dependent on affordable and sustainable energy supply.

“It is a known fact that some organisations that have hitherto contributed to job creation and empowerment of the people left the shores of the country for neighbouring countries such as Ghana. This was due to lack of constant, affordable and improved power supply to their industries. We in NACCIMA believe that this trend can be reversed if this initiative is taken with all seriousness and sincerity of purpose and with the support of all and sundry.”

On his part, Dr. Diarra said Nigeria was endowed with large fossil as well as potential renewable energy resources, but regretted that these potential resources have not been utilised for the benefit of a sustainable development .

“Industrial energy use in African countries is characterized by the rapid growing of the industrial sector of between 5.1 per cent and 7.3per cent through 2030. There is, hence, an opportunity to moderate use, increase industrial sustainability, improve competitiveness, and add more value to the product though a reduced energy intensity in the industrial sector.

He said the German Agency for International Cooperation, through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) was committed to support for the Nigerian government to achieve the overall goal of ensuring a reliable and sustainable electricity supply.