With the energy deficit approaching 4 GW, the federal government through the Ministry of Science and Technology has been presented with a possibility for construction of nuclear power plants in Nigeria, in the bid to meet the energy shortage.
The deal was put on the table by Mr. Peter Ikenga, the Head of Business at Transcorp Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, one of the West African country’s leading power producers, during a meeting with the Nigerian Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Collaboration with the federal government
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ikenga said that Transcorp Energy was seeking to collaborate with the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, to develop nuclear power plants as an alternative energy source in the country, using the OPEN100 model.
The latter is the world’s first open-source nuclear power plant deployment model for a standard small pressurized water reactor. It offers developers everything from a web interface to visualize plant and component design, to costs studies, and construction plans with an aim to accelerate the deployment of modular nuclear power plants.
A transformative and first of a kind project
This project according to the federal minister of Science and Technology is transformative and a first of its kind in Nigeria.
He said that it would radically change the way nuclear power plants are deployed, offering a substantially less expensive and less complicated solution. Â Adding that it will also provide the country with a reliable and sustainable energy source, without the challenges preventing stable and reliable power generation.
Onu reiterated the commitment of the government to promote the application of science, technology, and innovation within Nigeria, in line with Executive Order No. 5 of the Federal Government, and also appreciated Transcorp for the use of its innovative solutions to meet Nigeria’s electrical infrastructure needs.
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