Posted by By Kazeem Ugbodaga on
The Lagos state government is considering exploring the use of wind energy as an alternative source of power supply. This is a project that could cost the state about N34 billion (200 million euros).
The Lagos state government is considering exploring the use of wind energy as an alternative source of power supply. This is a project that could cost the state about N34 billion (200 million euros).
The decision to explore an alternative source of power supply is due to the ineptitude and near collapse of power generation in the country, especially in Lagos state.
Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, said the state had already sent out experts to understudy how wind energy, as alternative power supply, could be used in the state.
'Wind energy is something we are considering because the world is thinking of comparative energy generally. I was viewing a documentary, which says that the United States has one per cent of their energy from wind, but they are thinking of increasing it to 11 per cent.
'Again, it is expensive but then, do we have the skill to monitor it by the day? So, what His Excellency has directed is that we must get experts who can enlighten us.
'I have searched on the internet, I have spoken to people and seen how it is done outside. I think the project will cost about 200 million euros, which is a lot of money,' Hamzat stated.
According to the commissioner, 'we are talking to MAIS, which is an aspect of IBS, that there is a company they gave a letter to carry out the survey. There was a survey that was done across the whole country, which I have now, that Lekki alone can supply 1,000 mega watts of electricity by wind.
'We are saying this company should go and do a study and identify particularly where the project will be and know how many coasts or water ways will be used, and so on.
'We have given them that assignment and they have started doing that and then we will get our own independent expert review on the report and at the end of the day, if it is viable, we will do it and if it is not, we wouldn't do it.'
Hamzat also spoke on the Ikeja digital village, saying that the village is a place where you can study and also get information about the state.
'It is not something that has been done before. We have about 340 PCs there, which means, at a time, I can train 80 people, and everybody will have his own PC, be able to do simulations among others.
'We are buying about two million books, not physical books, but computer books, whereby three persons can read a book at the same time,' he stated.