Nigeria requires about 88,282 Mega Watts (MW) of electricity to meet the demand of its fast growing economy by 2020, Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Oladele Amoda, has said.

Amoda,who disclosed this at a forum in Lagos, urged the nation to adopt alternative energy sources to meet its energy requirement in the long run.

He said: “ With an estimated yearly economic growth rate of between 7 and 13 percent, as well as an urbanization rate of 3.8 percent, Nigeria’s electricity demand is projected to grow from 15,730 MW in 2016 to 41,133MW by 2018 and 88,282MW by 2020”

Amoda noted that Nigeria is endowed with fossil fuel and other renewable energy sources, but the energy situation is not efficiently managed to ensure energy sustainability and development.

He said: “the commitment of the government towards utilizing alternative energy sources can be appreciated as we see more projects being implemented using solar and other renewable options like bio-mass and wind”

He emphasized the need for the country adopt energy demand side management which has the capacity to drive energy efficiency and conservation,adding that huge benefit attached to demand side management remains untapped by Nigeria due to mainly lack of awareness.