Rita is a nursing mother of twins struggling to stay awake and feed them at a time when the other household members had gone to sleep. In a bid to make food for her darling twins, she quickly lights a candle since her street had not experienced electric power for the past two and a half months. Oblivious of the impending danger, she strolls outside to get some fresh air after putting her babies to sleep.
By the time she turned back to go inside the house was in flames as the candle had been knocked down on the rug and had caught fire. When neighbors helped to put out the fire, all she could think of was that her twins were safe. This inferno could have been prevented IF RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS LIKE SOLAR LANTERNS had been used to illuminate her home. Many still do not know that solar power is getting cheaper with each passing year and it is safe, easy and cost effective to use. According to experts, solar energy prices have dropped in the last two years so much that it may become cheaper to use solar than conventional energy sources like fossil fuel (PETROLEUM AND GAS)!
Solar is just one of many other renewable energy sources, there is thermal, wave, hydro-electric motors, wind and bio-fuel. The billions of Naira sunk into the NIPPP power projects from 1999 to present without any tangible returns gives credence to the need for alternative energy. Though one is tempted to ask for a refund, but from who do we demand this refund? Is it from the federal government or the contractors who have since abandoned such projects?
BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
- Environmentally Safe
- Cost Effective
- Vast and Inexhaustible Energy
- Stable
- Improved Public Health from Not Inhaling Generator Fumes
Thus, there is a dire need for energy consumers to focus on switching to the use of renewable energy products sooner rather than later
I quite agree with you that the focus of consumers should start shifting towards renewable energy sources, but are these products within the reach of the poor majority who live in the rural areas?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, it would be good to see proactive efforts of CSOs in bridging the gap between the product manufacturers / sellers and the consumers. Though there is still the doubt of awareness, it still does not stop us from getting the message and products across.
Thank you.
Sami