Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and energy experts recently convened and  strategically  explored desirable solutions to accelerate energy security for manufacturers since the perennial power supply challenges are not looking to abate anytime soon.

With the issue of energy adequacy for manufacturers which has lingered for a long time, the association and  stakeholders identified  innovative solutions at a summit themed; Power Supply Adequacy for Industrial Growth in Nigeria,” and organised  by  the Manufacturers Power Development Company Ltd.

President of MAN, Francis Meshioye noted that the event marks a significant milestone in the  collective quest for energy security and sustainable manufacturing practices.

He emphasis the  commitment of the association to explore collaborative strategies that will enable manufacturers to reduce energy costs, transition to sustainable energy sources and comply with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

Meshioye recognized that energy security is not only a business imperative but also a national priority, calling for the support for the  manufacturing sector which accounts for a significant share of Nigeria’s GDP, and its growth which is critical to economic development.

He reeled out some of the challenges bedevilling the association to include unreliable power supply, high energy costs and environmental concerns.

“But we also see opportunities for innovation, job creation and sustainable growth.”

Stakeholders were able to point out  actionable solutions to address the challenges faced by manufacturers, explored cutting-edge technologies, policy frameworks and financing models that could support the  transition to sustainable energy.

Mathew Edevbie, Group Managing Director, Income Electrix Ltd, spoke on challenges, prospects and strategies for sustainable energy as part of ensuring energy security for manufacturers in Nigeria; the holistic Energy cost reduction approach.”

Edevbie said Nigeria currently faces a huge electricity supply deficit , which manifests in high energy demand, huge supply-demand gap, low grid capacity, adding that with cost of infrastructure development,  the supply demand gap is unlikely to be resolved soon .

He noted that a limited supply from electric grid has forced industries to self generate electricity, lamenting that  reliability, availability  and cost of electricity to industries remain the bane of industrialisation in Nigeria.

He disclosed  that Nigeria incurs #26billion in economic losses due to electricity shortages.

Edevbie was however optimistic that despite the challenges plaguing the power sector and industries in Nigeria, there exists prospects and opportunities by utilizing a holistic approach to improving reliability, availability and reducing our total energy spend.

According to him, the approaches include optimization of generation sources, efficient utilization of power and focusing on the use of low energy consuming products.

Cruise Ni, Director of Huawei Digital Power, Nigeria, spoke on Technology Innovation for steady power supply in Nigeria: Optimizing Africa economic potential, emphasising on innovation and alternative energy supply to

reduce manufacturing energy cost.

Ni noted that in the past five years the diesel cost, average grid tariff, prices of batteries and solar panels went high, as such there was need for improvement in innovation and technology to meet the rising demand.

Managing Director  and CEO, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution (ANED), Sunday Oduntan noted that the country’s power infrastructure was outdated, under maintained and insufficient to meet the growing need.

Oduntan said transmission and distribution networks suffer from technical inefficiencies resulting from significant energy losses.

He proffered investment in grid infrastructure to modern transmission and distribution networks to reduce losses and increase capacity in

off grid solutions like mini- grid and solar home in rural and underserved areas.

Odutan viewed that  the consumers, large population, manufacturers and industrial areas must have access.

He added that  power has to be affordable for all.

He also emphasised the need to power the manufacturing sector, noting that investment is  required to make power available to all.

Mrs Jennifer Adighije, MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company plc.

explained that  access to electricity is inevitable for industrialization, promising to support businesses for off grid solutions.

Sanusi Garba, Chairman /CEO, Nigeria Energy Regulatory Commission spoke on  the Opportunities and challenges of the new electricity act for reliable power in Nigeria industrial hubs and free trade zones.

He said powering industry policies that deliberately seek to improve power supply to industrial clusters is required, noting that it could be achieved through embedded generation targeting industrial parks; distribution hub franchising ; ring fencing arrangement; Independent electricity distribution network.

He however said  all these could only be sustainable if the pricing is right as litigation against right pricing will only worsen supply.

He noted that legislation and regulation are essential but the key to unlocking successful electricity market and economic prosperity  is in our hands.

Dr Joy Ogaji , managing director, Association of Gencos, poke on Ramping up national power generation with new investments to enhance power supply adequacy for the fast growing industrial sector.

On oower and payment flow framework , Ogaji said Power is a strategic Infrastructure for moving the economy forward and access is  critical to Industries and manufacturers.

She viewed that  decisions about Investments in power generating capacity depend on expected returns and costs, the illiquid state of the NESI in addition to the fact that all plants are performing below optimum does not encourage the 6000MW discourse.

She said  Capacity utilization In any market, is often used as a measure of productive efficiency.

“Demand drives production, even as power generation is instantaneous and cannot be stored,” she added that maximising capacity utilization, will lead to lowered power costs.

“With a current installed capacity of about 14,000 megawatts, and utilization ranging between 3500 to maximum 4000, over 11 years post privatisation, the government’s aim to boost electricity access from 45% to 90% by 2030 is not feasible without a bench markable framework backed by credible data.”