Sources of Industrial Energy Use in the 9th Mile Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy is important in industrial activities because no production processes of any sort can take place without its utilization. This study examines the industrial energy sources at Udi industrial area of Enugu State, and to determine if their sources and utilization are environmentally friendly or not. Purposive sampling technique was adopted, and 32 management members (64%) of the 50 available and functional industrial plants as well as 160 employees formed the study population. The field data were collected using the methods of questionnaire, guided interview, and field observation. Data obtained were analysed using percentage, pie graph, and descriptive statistical methods. The result of the analyses reveals that the available energy sources in the area are electricity from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) (50.8%), installed generators in the factories (46%), and firewood (3.2%). It was found that 12.5% of the 32 industrial plants use EEDC as the only available source of energy for them in the area. They are sited at Ngwo-Uno in the East, Ameke in the North and North-West, and Nsude in the South of the area in the ratio of 1:2:1 respectively. Thus, in sourcing for energy for industrial uses in the area, there are insufficient applications of modern methods or techniques of biotechnology, biomass, wind, and solar energy sources. It is therefore, recommended for the industrialists to source and use energy sources like solar, wind, biomass, and biotechnology that are renewable in industrial activities in the area, and reduce over dependency on oil and its resources as energy sources in the study area.