How Frequent Are Power Outages for You?
I wonder what year and century a third world developing country like mine will become a place where things that should be normal in modern times are no longer abnormal. And it makes me question the word "developing," because shit ain't developing here.
I don't always talk about our electricity issues where I am from because, well, we all have different problems across the globe and in different countries. This time, I want to put it in a journal or something.
Do I get electricity every day? Not really. Sometimes, nothing for days, almost weeks. When I get electricity, how long does it last? 1-4 hours, tops. Is the power supply predictable? Heh. Joke of the year. Heck, no! It's rather sporadic. How does that affect me? In every way possible.
It's embarrassing when I share with people that aren't from about the electricity palaver and they go, "Oh, yeah. That's a recurring thing I hear from Nigerians." Not that it makes me uncomfortable, but that's really the reality we live in.
There are alternatives we turn to for power. Most people own gasoline generators here. Some others own solar-inverter systems. Guess what, though? Gasoline is more expensive than gold. Solar-inverter systems cost a fortune now. In a place where you have neither, you're at the mercy of the power-holding company—like me.
Power banks have now become an extension of my being as I carry them around like an oxygen tank—for my phone, though. With the previous behaving unstable, I had to spend $25 on a new and bigger one. The poor guy is sitting on the table with only a 2% charge. Of course, you can't store what you don't get!
My PC, on the other hand, needs a mains power supply. When there isn't electricity, well, I just have to rely on its battery. Unfortunately for me, the information I have is that the battery is failing. So I am basically left with a "desktop."
A smartphone isn't the same as a PC. Some things are just 10x harder on mobile than on PC. How can you learn to code? That's one of "those things."
It doesn't add up why we can't get electricity for way longer and more consistently. There have been times when we'd be given way more electricity than expected, though. In those times, nobody died because of it, and neither did the world end. So, why not? It never adds up.
I can't begin to list the number of issues that arise from the lack of electricity. Imagine how important food preservation and preparation can be. Or imagine that I have to iron my clothes days earlier every time. What I know is that it is 2024, and it's so off to step out at this time, midnight, and see almost nothing—pitch black.
If aeroplanes didn't have their own navigation systems, they'd get lost travelling over a place so dark at night. Don't even bother looking down.
I'm looking to get a solar inverter system for my home, where my entire family lives. I don't know how long that would take, but it's something that has become very important to have in these times. I'd like to walk into 2025 knowing that we achieved that. Because all this nonsense can't continue forever. Let's see how that goes.
Where I am now is very far away, in another state. And I don't have access to a generator or anything. There's a place, a hotel, where I go to work every day. They run diesel generators and have electricity for many hours during the day. Recently, they changed their mode of operation.
There is now no electricity as before, and I'm often left looking and hoping that electricity from the grid will show up when I need it, at least. That never happens anyway.
I think I'll stop here. 3% is all I have left until God knows when. The power bank is empty. Before I go, however, how frequent are power outages for you?
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You guys need to relocate to Ghana. I love Nigeria and I wish to visit but when I think of the power outages I just get discouraged. I pray it gets better.
Please, it's like I will move into that extra room in your house in Ghana. Because I am not understanding Nigeria anymore. We can only pray it gets better.
I have space in my compound, make yourself comfortable.😄
Same goes to Lokoja where am studying, Nepa won't give light for two days or so, and the power bank that we have won't even sustain us because we are three, sometimes we will go to our neighbour shop to charge or wait still our neighbour's on gene to charge our phone. Lokoja light is bad to the extent that if you need the light to do something they won't bring it.
That's the thing about the electricity in Nigeria. It's uncommon to hear that electricity is regular and consistent in places in Nigeria, unless it's ran by really rich and wealthy people. I only wonder how you manage with all that as a student.
Wouldn't it be possible to buy a system with solar panels to get electricity? I know that solar panels are getting cheaper all the time, and it's even possible (sometimes) to get them for free.
I'm telling you this because I live in a "developed" country, but I don't have access to electricity by choice:
That's why I was wondering if this is something you could do? It's a small investment at first, but then it's free for life! (well, until your storage battery stops working).
On the contrary, solar panels and battery-interver systems do not get cheaper here. The inflation affects the price of everything and things only get more and more expensive by the day. If it costs 100 USD to set on up today, it could cost 110 USD the next day. So you can imagine why it isn't exactly easy to set up, in as much as it is the most viable solution to these electricity problems from the grid. It really isn't a small investment at first over here, but it sure would be worth it for a very long time until the batteries begin to pack up.
Another thing is, even if I set up the solar backup system, which would likely be at my family's home, I most certainly cannot move it around with me. So now that I am miles and miles away from home, assuming that I have such a system back at home, I am over here dealing with the electricity problems. It's a nationwide problem.
Okay, I understand. Yes, it sounds like a fairly complex problem, but I'm sure there can be many solutions.
Perhaps there are NGOs or international initiatives that offer grants.
the possibility of setting up a community solar system where several households or an entire community can invest in a large solar system. I think this could reduce costs per household and provide a stable source of energy for several families.
Of course, it's difficult to set up, but I think it will always be more stable than the electricity supplied by the country?
In fact, since you're working online, you need electricity. You'd have to calculate how much money you lose when you don't have access to electricity. Then you'd know how profitable it is to invest in solar energy.
But I agree with you, it's really very difficult!
I actually do need electricity very often. And that's why I am looking into investing in solar energy as that is more reliable than the electricity from the grid.
I really have not heard of any NGOs or international initiatives that offer grants here and actually work. People just have to find their own way around here. But of course, I am open to finding anyone of them. I am more interested in sourcing funds on my own and getting the solar energy system done as quickly as I can.
Maybe take a look at this NGO: SolarAid
I haven't looked at the site, so I don't know how they work. In any case, you're right to make it one of your priorities. I think it's really important to become as self-sufficient as possible and avoid relying too much on the government to do things: like having access to electricity for example.
We do have power outage more frequently than rainy seasons but it doesn't last days. There are times it's just 2-12 hours tops. People do complain a lot here though, for they're on air-conditioning rooms especially the above average families so the electric company needs to keep up their game or else, they'll lose wealthy consumers to solar panels.
💛Made my way here through #dreemport. #Dreemerforlife
Nobody enjoys irregular power supply, actually. And people would rather have something that's more reliable and within their control than depend on grid electricity that only lasts a few hours.
Where are you from, by the way
I'm living in Philippines
Electricity is a vital component of everyday living but unfortunately in certain parts of the world, it's unstable as the weather if not more.
Here, we do get severe electricity cuts always but it's not that of a big deal like over there, for us, it usually lasts for the whole day or night. People have learnt to anticipate the electricity cuts and act accordingly :)
I see. I guess if it's not that much of a big deal over there, then you're just fine. Where are you from?
Hmmm
Life without electricity and network is really terrible.
Yes. And I'm sure your know this very well for yourself...
Yes oo
Losing power regularly like this would humble me iin a way I don't want to imagine. I'm so lucky to have power consistenly. Found with Dreemport.
Hi, Kara!
Oh, yes. Every day is yet another one to to hustle and find one's way around being online. It's quite a struggle, but that's what I have been used to ever since I came to this world. LOL
I completely empathize with your situation @olujay, we used to be in the same boat here. It is even funnier as I am in a suburb outside the city and the city has 24x7 power and we still keep getting outages. I should not complain too much or I might jinx it as we used to have whole day power cuts earlier and now it is just 20-30 mins here or there. All apartments in our block have battery inverters and I am very thankful for it though even if it is an added cost every year. Without it I would not be able to do my job as work has largely become hybrid since the pandemic. Here's hoping the power situation becomes better for you too!
Hmmm...I guess you're pretty good regardless. At least, you expect power soon enough and have a backup electricity system. I wonder how having battery inverter system is an added cost every year. Can you explain? I am looking to set up one for myself with solar panels.
In case of battery invertor the maintenance is an ongoing cost. Every quarter they come and check the invertor, top up the distilled water if needed, and also check on battery performance. For a solar inverter too there will some maintenance required. In India there is not a lot of DIY, but possibly if one can learn it they can maintain these inverters themselves.