By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
Before the privatisation of the power sector, the issue of efficient energy
management, high technical and non-technicallosses that have characterised
the Nigerian electricity industry and ways of curtailing it was never in the front
burner. Unlike vandalism which is a common and visible malaise, energy loss is
a hidden cankerworm which has silently affected performance and revenue
generation. Loss of energy amounts to revenue loss.Therefore, efficient energy
management must be seriously regarded as a fundamental business of
everybody beginning from our homes. It must be reaffirmed that the reality of
post-privatisation era of the power sector has drawn our attention to this
salient issue.And for the new companies to be able toprovide excellent services,
ensure stability in power supply to our homes and businesses and break-even,
it must be re-emphasised that energy loss must be jointly tackled by all.
Essentially, power supply drives the economy of nations thus;it is needed daily
throughout the year for national growth and development. But in and around
major cities across the country, loss of energy is common and evident in the
number of incandescent electric bulbs turnedon and wasting away in the day
time which ranges from street lights adorning major roads; that of Mai suya to
various kiosks, residential and organisational security lights which are never
switched off year in year out. One of the primary reasons adduced for
embarking on power sector reforms in Nigeria was the urgent need for
elimination of high technical and non-technical losses that have characterised
the Nigerian electricity industry.
Efficient energy management entailscultivating the habit of consciously reducing
the cost of energy utilised or consumed by an individual, organisations,
households, schools, businesses and various offices in order to minimise
waste. The abuse of; or obvious lack of judicious use of electricity supply
amounts to loss of energy. With a population of over 160 million people and less
than 10,000 mw of electricity, only about 40% of Nigerians have access to
electricity supply and a very large majority of these people reside in the urban
areas.
According to UNDP report Promoting Energy Efficiency in Residential and Public
Sectors in Nigeria “By energy efficiency, it does not mean that we should not use
energy, rather that we should use energy in a manner that will minimise the
amount of energy needed to provide certain services. Efficient
energymanagement therefore entails improvement in practices and products
which reduces the energy necessary to provide services. For example, to light a
room with an incandescent light bulb of 60W for one hour requires 60 W/h (that
is 60 watts per hour). A compact fluorescent light bulb would provide the same
or better light at 11 W and only use 11 W/h. This means that 49 W (82% of
energy) is saved for each hour the light is turned on. If we use energy efficient
appliances, it will help to reduce the energy necessary to provide services like
lighting, cooling, heating, manufacturing, cooking, transport, entertainment etc.
Hence the recommendations for tested and proven energy efficiency products
which essentially help to do more work with less energy. Some of the prospects
of energy efficiency management minimises the building of power stations; helps
to save money which will be invested in other sectors. It will also help to
increase Nigerian’s access to electricity.”
It is advised that compact fluorescent lamps/Light emitting diode and other
electrical appliances which consume less energy to produce the same amount
and better result in terms oflighting should be encouraged nationwide.
Incandescent bulbs should be replaced with energy saving bulbs because
according to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) “only 10% of
energy consumed by incandescent bulb produces light; the rest is giving off
heat.” In year 2012 the Nigerian Electricity Commission, as a way of
endorsement, gave out freecompact fluorescent light bulbs to Nigerians at the
programme launch.
Energy tends to lose its form, strength and weight as it travels from the long,
weak and aged transmission networks to distribution substations. Therefore,
functional meters that will accurately and completely plug energy leakages at all
households, schools, organisations, households, businesses and various offices
all over the nation should be in place. The new distribution companies having
embraced the Credit Advanced Payment Metering Implementation (CAPMI), a
scheme designed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for
customers to access meters without delayshould aggressively promote it.
This scheme is voluntary for customers who do not want to wait until meters
are provided for them. It encourages customers to pay an advance into a
designated escrow account; while he will be repaid overtime through a
percentage reduction in the amount billed him for fixed charge. Customers are
encouraged to take advantage of this CAPMI, but for the scheme to succeed, it
must be dissected for customers benefit and aggressively promoted through an
enlightenment campaign by the distribution companies.
Meters have been found to be intentionally tampered with by customers to
evade accurate measurement of their consumption. Some also constitute
themselves into a power substation and illegally gives light to neighbours who
they charge fees. The penalty attached to these kinds of misdemeanour is still
subsisting. If flouted the distribution company has the grounds to activate legal
proceedings against defaulters.
Metering every home in Nigerialiesthe panacea to energy loss and consequently
revenue generation. Nigerians are ready to pay for electricity supply to their
homes and businesses provided it is available. Appropriate measurement of
energy consumed with the aid of meters is scientific and must shut out
estimated billings, mistrust and rancour.Electricity business is everybody’s
business; therefore we should all make sure it works. The new distribution
companiesmust evolve own innovative at reducing the level of energy loss.
A state of emergency on energy loss should therefore be declared in Nigeria.
This should form a strategy to activating the consciousness of Nigerians to
honestly cultivate the habit saving energy, remind the operators of the sector of
the need for better and efficient service delivery and for the sustenance and
survival of the new distribution companies. Finally, Nigeria should tap from the
UNDP report on Promoting Energy Efficiency in Residential and Public Sectors in
Nigeria whichcalled for the need to phase out inefficient incandescent lighting in
all applications; put in place energy efficiency policy and legislations; set
minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), and create awareness to
change behavior.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communication Specialist wrote via
sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached via 08060901201
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