ECN hosts 12 countries, 15 trainees for IAEA energy planning tools

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has successfully hosted 12 countries and 15 participants in a two week training on energy planning tools designed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to boost energy security in Africa. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training in Abuja, Director General/CEO of ECN, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala […]

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has successfully hosted 12 countries and 15 participants in a two week training on energy planning tools designed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to boost energy security in Africa.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training in Abuja, Director General/CEO of ECN, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala said the training organised by IAEA was hosted by the Commission comprising 12 participants from 12 African countries and three others from Nigeria.

He said, “The training course is to support the development of local capabilities and skill for conducting energy supply analysis in African member states.”

On the role of ECN in planning energy security and alternative energy options in Nigeria, Prof. Bala said since 2000, ECN had adopted IAEA tools and that in 2014, it projected 45,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity demand target by 2020 and 116,000MW by 2020 if the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains at seven per cent.

“The power demand was projected to be met from supply from a variety of energy sources of clean coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, solar, wind and biomass, and even imports,” Bala noted.

He said similar long-term demand and consumption projections have been made by the Commission on petroleum products like petrol, gas, diesel and kerosene.

“It is our belief that this current training would further enhance our capability to review the earlier work done and to appropriately advise government accordingly,” he said.

The IAEA Instructor, Arvydas Galinis lauded Nigeria for hosting the training adding that the agency often supports member countries to plan for energy security.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Bitrus Bako Nabusa lauded the IAEA for the confidence it had in Nigeria to host the training.

He said it was significant that the agency had trained experts in the energy sector to embrace clean energy generation in Africa to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Mohammed Elshafey from Egypt said energy is considered one of the sustainable pillars for development and that it becomes important for participants to acquire the training.