N31bn Lost Annually To Energy Wastage In Lagos

Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government says an estimated N31 billion is being lost annually to energy wastage.

This figure was arrived at after a power audit exercise was conducted by the Lagos State Electricity Board across Lagos to ascertain the electricity consumption of residents of the state.

General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Damilola Ogunbiyi at a ministerial press conference in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, also disclosed that N31 billion is being wasted on energy through generators.

She said the power audit exercise showed that private individuals and organisations generate far more than their energy needs through power generators, with the excess wasted on a daily basis.

Ogunbiyi added that the figure also formed part of what is wasted through lack of energy conservation at residence, business premises and markets, among others.

Electricity consumers were discovered to be leaving their appliances and light bulbs on even when not needed.

Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofeek Tijani, said the objective of the energy audit was to create a comprehensive database of energy/power consumption within the state as well as educate and create awareness regarding energy usage, consumption patterns, and conservation opportunities.

“The exercise is also aim to document existing conditions for planning purposes. To give information on health and safety issues with regards to pollution and carbon emissions from self generation. It is also to capture data on the amount and condition of public lighting on Lagos streets and to capture data that will assist Eko and Ikeja distribution companies,” he said.

Tijani said that the audit exercise had been carried out in Somolu Printing community, Matori Industrial estate, Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Ikorodu Industrial Estate, Lagos Island (Broad Street & Marina), Ikeja GRA, Oba Akran, Agidingbi, Omole Phase I & II, Dolphin Estate, Iporin, Gbagada, Lekki and  Magodo I and II.

The commissioner further disclosed the energy master plan of the state.

“Draft for energy policy and master plan has been concluded and presented to the state executive council. The policy is currently undergoing the internal stakeholders’ consultations pending approval for public hearing which will facilitate developments in the sector,” he said.

On the Independent Power Project, IPP, the commissioner disclosed that about N600 million is being saved monthly through the Alausa IPP which was commissioned in 2013 to serve the power needs of the state secretariat, Ikeja as well as streetlights within the Alausa precinct.

The commissioner added that following the switch on of the Alausa IPP, over 120 generators hitherto used by the various offices within the state secretariat were decommissioned.