Nigeria Targets 4,000MW Of Electricity From Nuclear Energy

With power supply in the country still a far cry from being stable, the Federal Government is exploring the possibility of generating 4,000 megawatts of electricity from nuclear energy.
According to the first phase of the plan, which is expected to be kicked off in the coming years, Nigeria will generate 1,000MW of electricity from nuclear energy, thereafter, it will be increased to 4,000MW.
A statement Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said these and others formed part of discussions President Muhammadu Buhari had during a meeting with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The presidential spokesman said the ministers who spoke at the meeting gave updates on the country’s presentation for the utilisation of nuclear energy.
Shehu said: “The ministers of Power, Solid Minerals, Health, Science and Technology, who briefed the meeting, said preparatory steps taken so far included the training of doctors and other medical specialists to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of specialist medical centres and the procurement of necessary equipment aimed at protecting the health of the citizens.
“Nigeria, said the ministers, is aspiring to start a programme in the coming years that will give this country 1,000MW of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000MW thereafter”.
He quoted President Buhari as welcoming the support of the IAEA for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity from nuclear energy.
Buhari said he was happy that the organisation was developing a programme from which Nigeria would benefit.
He urged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.
Earlier, Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps towards a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.