Nigeria to generate 200 megawatts from wind energy

Apart from the wind farm in Katsina, which is expected to produce 10 megawatts on completion in 2012, additional wind turbines to be located in various parts of Nigeria are expected to generate extra 180 megawatts for the country.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Mohammed Abubakar, disclosed these at a two-day national workshop on application of a digital tool for wind energy information system held in Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by the Director-General of Chemical Technology and Energy Research of the ministry, Dr. Solomon Fadoju, said government, through the Ministry of Power, is constructing 10 MW wind farm since 2009 in Katsina to end next year 2012.

Other regions pre-selected as potential sites for further wind power development, Abubakar said are: Lagos, Jos and Sokoto, representing the South Western part of Nigeria; North Central part of Nigeria and North Western part of Nigeria respectively.

As a further step, the minister said his ministry is of the view that the country should elaborate the feasibility studies for these three wind farm sites, defining a total wind power capacity of 30-60 MW per site.

Gbenga Omokhunu, thenationonlineng.net