OAU sets to become first Nigerian University to generate its electricity by October
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has announced that the institution would be generating its electricity by October this year.
The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede disclosed this in a statement at the African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation International Biennial Conference.
The VC noted that the internally generated electricity would reduce the amount the university spends on electricity monthly.
According to him, the university spends between N35M to N60M every month on its energy needs and added that the electricity being paid for was not available regularly.
This, he said, impeded to research work among other works to be done in the institution.
Quoting him:
“Luckily now, we are working with Rural Electrification Agency to provide for us a gas-powered turbine that will generate 8.0 megawatts of electricity.”
“This will more than meet the university’s energy needs and also allow neighboring communities to benefit from the excess energy generated.”
What we consume as a university is between 5 to 6 megawatts daily. With 8.03 megawatts, we will be comfortable.
The electricity-generating project which started in 2017 was slated for completion after two years, however, the vice-chancellor announced that it would be completed much earlier with the university getting off the national grid by October.
