Now that cement and other manufacturing plants as well as domestic consumers are competing for available gas resources, experts believe that now is the time for power generators to shift attention to the area of coal with a view to harnessing it for use as an alternative power source, National Mirror reports.
Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, the Managing Director of Powercap Limited, has drawn attention to areas which the government should really look into, if generating power from coal is of priority to them. Areas such as the technology to be deployed, how to manage the waste from such plants, emissions from the plants, as well as the initial set up cost to ensure it fits into the system appropriately, should be considered.
The lead consultant of Diekolop Konsults Ltd, Mr Olugbenga Adesanya, also said South Africa generates 93 per cent of her energy from coal, followed by Poland with 87 per cent. Even the United States, with its discovery of oil and Texas shale, still gets 45 per cent of its electricity from coal.
He lamented how a country that has coal reserves in 14 states has not been able to generate a single megawatt of power from coal. He however hammered on the need for government and the organisations to use clean coal technology to ensure minimal emissions and management of waste from these coal mines, when they become operational.