The Federal Government of Nigeria has committed to making solar energy accessible and affordable for all citizens by next year.
This announcement was made by Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, during an interview with BBC Hausa.
Dr. Abdullahi highlighted the urgent need for the country to enhance its energy generation capacity to resolve ongoing power challenges.
Currently, Nigeria has an installed capacity of 12,000 megawatts, with only 5,000 megawatts available to consumers. He stressed that the nation needs a total of 40,000 megawatts to achieve a stable power supply comparable to developed nations.
To address this energy deficit, the government has unveiled a national energy master plan aimed at improving power access for all Nigerians.
A significant part of this initiative includes establishing a facility dedicated to manufacturing solar panels and batteries, which is expected to lower costs and expand solar energy use.
READ ALSO: Strike Looms As ASUP Issues Another 15-Day Ultimatum to FG
Dr. Abdullahi assured citizens, “By next year, we will have achieved this goal,” emphasizing the critical role of solar energy in bridging Nigeria’s energy gap.
Also, he announced the construction of a Renewable Energy College to provide free education and training, addressing workforce shortages in the sector.
