To enhance energy access and reliability, Elijah Daniel, the Country Sales Director for Process Automation & Software at Schneider Electric, has emphasized the necessity for investment in digital innovation and the adoption of technologies such as IoT, advanced analytics, and digital control systems, along with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, to effectively manage the evolving energy landscape in Nigeria.
He pointed out that Nigeria's existing energy system, characterized by the three main components of generation, transmission, and distribution, is currently under significant stress due to issues like transmission bottlenecks, aging infrastructure, imbalances between supply and demand, and challenges related to gas supply.
Daniel remarked, “Regardless of perspective, the current state of the grid is unable to meet the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding urban population and growing industries. With the national population surpassing 220 million, the grid is simply overextended.”
He further explained that embracing digital technologies would not only improve the distribution of electricity but also enable proactive maintenance measures and minimize downtimes.
Addressing the SaaS model, Daniel highlighted its potential to reduce the necessity for substantial upfront investments by allowing energy companies to subscribe to software platforms that facilitate their operational management.
“Nevertheless, for the adoption of SaaS to flourish, local relevance is essential. It is vital for service providers to develop functionalities that incorporate local payment systems and invest in training and support frameworks,” he added.
“The localization of software, modular implementation, and alignment with policy frameworks are therefore crucial to making SaaS a feasible and beneficial resource within Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
However, he stressed that merely adopting technology will not adequately address Nigeria’s ongoing power issues, noting that tangible advancements depend on the synchronization of government policy, electricity pricing, and infrastructure investments.
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