NASENI projects 50MW from solar energy

• The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and also Engineering Infrastructure, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, has revealed the agency's target is to contribute 50 megawatts of solar energy to Nigeria's electrical power by 2023.

He made this understood throughout the closing ceremony of a week-long NASENI skill acquisition training as well as youth empowerment for 100 youths on solar installment and also maintenance in Awka, Anambra State on Friday

A declaration by Deputy Director, Information, NASENI, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, priced estimate Haruna as claiming that the agency already had attained regarding 21 Megawatts per annum with mounted capacity with its NASENI Solar Energy Limited, a manufacturing plant situated in Karshi, Abuja, had by the agency.

According to him, the plant is currently implementing its strategy to increase that capacity to relocate its production capacity to 50 Megawatts to bridge the gaps of over 80 per cent imported substandard solar items which has actually flooded Nigerian markets.

He harped on the demand for training and also retraining of technicians in the solar system electrical power supply subsector, stressing that an experienced workforce for Nigeria is a should for self reliance and commercial development.

He stated, "Technicians need to be educated as well as retrained for knowledge update. Failure to get skill and training for solar electrical energy supply is the source of the majority of failed solar installations across the country. This is discouraging and also preventing to customers, some customers are already considering that solar system is a misconception as opposed to a reality."

Nevertheless, he noted that NASENI solar panels and also setups have not recorded failure anywhere across the nation.

Haruna said, "Although we know that some solar installments are stopping working also before commissioning. No 2 solar system installations are specifically the exact same even if they are of same dimension and capacity. Lots survey, computation as well as analysis are on a case-by-case basis. Appropriately, you have to obtain skill on how to perform load survey, design, part spec and option and then part matching in that order, before installment. Solar energy system is modular, and there are specific methods and also clinical strategy to setup, repairs and also maintenance," he stated.

The NASENI boss stated that there could be no industrial development without experienced workforce, stressing that Nigeria can not remain to import machine, men and various other equipment and still aspire for commercial economic situation.

According to him, skilled Nigerians are one of the most vital of all elements of knowledge-based economic situation, adding that the required of proficient development provided to NASENI by the President, Major Muhammadu Buhari, is amongst the key or important heritage of today administration.

Haruna better urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to commence a five-year program on rebooting tertiary education workshops and also labs across the country with appropriate equipment that will make it possible for all trainees to acquire a minimum of an occupational trade skill prior to graduation.

"Required skill acquisition training course is required as integral part of tertiary education educational program of National University Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) as a modification or replacement of entrepreneurship program of tertiary education that is of limited impact," he included.

In her very own remarks, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science, Technology as well as Innovation, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, expressed optimism on the benefits of the training to youths in Anambra State.

"I strongly believe on the relevance and also gains of the training today which can not be overemphasised."The required of NASENI is for capital items in the areas of research on reverse engineering, market, chemical, chemistry as well as engineering."The essence of this training is actually to educate our youths on solar setup as well as maintenance.

"If you take a look at the means the country is going today, we are trying to find alternatives to power as well as solar is one of them.

"I believe that if the students took notice of what they were educated it will certainly give them a chance to be self reliant and also to train others," she claimed.