Access to energy in the form of electricity undoubtedly plays an important role in nation’s growth, economic development, healthcare delivery, addressing energy poverty, supporting urbanization, delivering competitive energy to developing and developed countries alike and generally human well-being. There are different sources of electricity; and generation of electricity from them equally affect human well– being and the environment. Some of the notable sources of electricity or energy are: solar, fossil fuels, biogas, solid biomass, nuclear, hydropower. This work attempts to examine the environmental safety of coal use vis-a -vis power provision in Nigeria.
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from decomposition of organic materials subjected to geological heat and pressure for millions of years. It is considered a non– renewable energy source because it cannot be replenished within human time frame. Coal is a combustible black or brownish – black sedimentary rock normally occurring in rock strata in layers or vein called coal beds or coal steams.
The United States Energy Information Administration highlighting the importance and cheaper cost of coal in energy mix states that global consumption is likely to increase by 48%from 6 .7 million metric tons to an estimated 9. 98 billion short tons by 2030. Coal as an energy source contributes about 30% of the United States of America electricity generation, 93% of South Africa electricity generation, and 79% of the People’s Republic of China electricity generation. Going by this statistics and the fact that coal is cheap source for electricity generation, it is safe to assert that Nigeria has the potentials to produce cheaper electricity to solve its dearth of electricity generation and supply using coal. [...]
Table of Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- BRIEF HISTORY OF COAL USE IN NIGERIA ENERGY MIX
- ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF COAL USE IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION
- EXTANT LAWS IN NIGERIA THAT REGULATE ELECTRICITY
- LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS ON EFFICIENT COAL USE IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS
- People's Republic of China
- The United States of America
- NEW PROPOSAL ON LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR COAL USE IN THE ENERGY MIX IN NIGERIA
- CONCLUSION
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to examine the environmental safety of using coal for power provision in Nigeria, considering its potential to generate cheaper electricity and address the country's energy deficit. It explores the existing legal and regulatory framework surrounding coal use in Nigeria and proposes a new framework for efficient and environmentally safe coal utilization.
- Environmental impact of coal use on human health and the environment
- Existing legal and regulatory framework governing coal use in Nigeria
- Efficient coal use practices and regulations in other jurisdictions
- A new legal and regulatory framework for safe and sustainable coal use in Nigeria
- Balancing economic benefits of coal with environmental concerns
Chapter Summaries
- INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the importance of electricity in national growth and discusses various sources of electricity, highlighting the environmental impact of different sources. It introduces coal as a significant energy source and its non-renewable nature. The chapter also emphasizes the potential of coal to provide cheaper electricity in Nigeria.
- BRIEF HISTORY OF COAL USE IN NIGERIA ENERGY MIX: This chapter provides a brief history of coal use in Nigeria, starting from its discovery in 1909 and its role in powering the railway, steel, and cement industries. It discusses the decline of coal use with the discovery of oil and gas and the recent efforts to revive coal mining for electricity generation. It also highlights the potential of coal to generate electricity in Nigeria, considering its estimated reserves.
- ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF COAL USE IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION: This chapter explores the environmental impacts of coal use, highlighting the negative effects on human health and the environment from mining to post-combustion stages. It discusses the impact of air pollution, water pollution, and other environmental concerns associated with coal utilization.
- EXTANT LAWS IN NIGERIA THAT REGULATE ELECTRICITY: This chapter focuses on the existing legal framework in Nigeria that regulates the electricity sector. It examines the laws and regulations in place to govern the use of coal in electricity generation.
- LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS ON EFFICIENT COAL USE IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS: This chapter explores the legislation and regulations in other jurisdictions, such as China and the United States, that promote efficient and sustainable coal utilization. It examines best practices and regulations implemented in these countries to mitigate the environmental impact of coal use.
- NEW PROPOSAL ON LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR COAL USE IN THE ENERGY MIX IN NIGERIA: This chapter proposes a new legal and regulatory framework for coal use in Nigeria, aiming to balance the economic benefits of coal with environmental concerns. It suggests measures to ensure sustainable and environmentally safe coal utilization in the country.
Keywords
This work focuses on environmental safety, coal use, electricity generation, energy mix, legal framework, regulations, sustainable development, environmental impact, air pollution, water pollution, climate change, Nigeria.
- Quote paper
- Luqman Adedokun (Author), 2015, Environmental Safe Use of Coal in the Energy Mix in Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/356372
