RENEWABLE ENERGY

Despite its huge energy resources, Nigeria needs more electricity both to drive industry and to ensure adequate supplies in rural areas. The National Energy Masterplan projects that energy from renewable sources will reach 20% of Nigeria’s energy mix by 2030.

Bauchi state has quite a strategic place in this regard. Clearly, with a developed robust solar powered energy sector, surplus generated energy could have a ready market giving the State’s proximity to other states in North East region where power inadequacy remains a dominant threat for economic growth and development. Already four different renewable energy generating companies are being engaged at strategic locations within the State and work is ongoing to generate a combined estimated energy output of 200MW.

As shown in the irradiation map below, Bauchi state is located in the highest solar irradiation zone of Nigeria and would thus be an ideal location to serve as a hub for both production of the required equipment and solar generation of electricity for use by the new industries. This could service the needs of local Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises who struggle to serve local communities without efficient supplies of electricity.