FG to collaborate with Atomic Energy Commission on electricity generation, supply

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says the ministry plans to collaborate with the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to increase power generation and make supply more stable, effective, and reliable.

According to a statement on Wednesday, Adelabu spoke when he received Anthony Ekedewa, acting chairman of the commission, in his office in Abuja.

Adelabu said the collaboration would boost power generation and stabilise the power sector as part of the reforms being implemented in the sector.

He said nuclear power plants, with their advanced technology, would significantly benefit the country by simplifying power generation.

The minister added that the participation of the commission in the power sector was long overdue, promising to work with the agency.

Adelabu, however, advised against the proposed establishment of four power plants with a capacity to generate 1,200 megawatts (MW) each, by the commission.

He said modular nuclear reactors are the way to go, especially with the way the government has decentralised the sector.

“This is an area that states can benefit from. A lot of investment has gone into the development of the commission over the years, and Nigeria should start reaping from the investment,” Adelabu said.

The minister noted that while the process is tedious and costly, the outcome is highly beneficial to the country, emphasising that nuclear power plants are at an advanced stage of energy generation.

“I wish we were there already in this country, but we are not there yet. We should, however, ask ourselves, how much of the conventional source of energy have we exploited? Nuclear power plants tend to be at the lower end of concern over the years, but we have to understand that nuclear energy is the future of energy generation,” Adelabu said.

He acknowledged the lack of significant collaboration between the ministry and the commission.

“We have not been having this rapport in the past, but I’m happy we are starting from somewhere now and I believe that we will sustain it for the overall benefit of our country,” Adelabu said.

“This is an advanced level of energy generation, but we must also embrace it because whatever that can add value to our power sector, we must embrace.

“As we all know, leaders would naturally want projects that would materialise in their time in office but any serious government will know that this is the future of the sector.”

The minister said nuclear energy is the future of power generation, so both parties must partner on how to improve the sector and “this meeting is a right step in the right direction”.

“We have formally established a relationship with you and we have so much to benefit from each other”, he said.

Adelabu proposed a joint workshop by the ministry, the commission, and other power sector stakeholders to brainstorm ways to sustain and enhance the collaboration.

“As we all know, this is not a cheap thing but we can start with a workshop where experts from your side and our side will brainstorm and work out how we can further benefit from each other,” Adelabu said.

“We are reforming the power sector and this will be the most appropriate time for this kind of collaboration as states are now having their own power projects.”

He said the collaboration is vital for the nation’s future progress.

‘NUCLEAR ENERGY CAN POWER ENTIRE COUNTRY’

On his part, Ekedawa said nuclear energy, as a renewable energy, could power the entire country.

“We want to work and partner with you in the area of power generation. We can be a base load for the country and we have two possible sites, Geregu in Kogi state and Idu in Akwa Ibom state. We have carried out the feasibility studies.”

Ekedawa said the collaboration is part of “our energy policy, but we are, however, limited by resources to undertake this project”.