Epileptic power supply has remained a perennial problem, stifling the country’s industrial growth, limiting expansion of commercial ventures and profitability, and affecting the well-being of its people.
Because of this, electricity generating sets have supplemented power generation for most individuals and companies across the federation.
To this end, Nigeria is the second-largest market for a generator-driven economy in Africa.
Since it will require 180,000 MW of electricity to meet the needs of households and businesses, and the country cannot provide that currently, generating sets is the next alternative.
Hence, maintenance of these generators is essential to the proper functioning of the sets while also minimising the risk of accidents, damage, and more costly repairs down the line.
A generator repairer, Olayinka Oluwafemi, who frequently receives requests for generator repairs, says: “generators are expensive these days, and performing routine maintenance on one’s generator is crucial because it can last up to many years with proper care and saves you more money than carrying out a big repair or buying a new one.”
Most people, he states, do not know that allowing diesel to finish when the generator is running can cause harm to the generator as it will require bleeding because diesel is the sole lubricant within the system.
A store owner at Ipodo Market, Ikeja, claimed that he takes the upkeep of his generator generously.
Industrial generators are reliable, strong, and long lasting. In most cases, failure symptoms do not appear until the generator is unable to operate during a power outage, he says.
He says, “ It is in your best interest to ensure basic maintenance tasks like changing fuel filters, replacing air filters, draining the coolant, changing coolant filters, checking the fuel supply among others frequently.”
Startup Capital
The key requirement is for you to have urdergone apprenticeship for about two years or less, in generator repair and must have done your freedom.
Thereafter, you will need to buy working tools which you can purchase for about N100,000 and you are good to start.
You may, however, wish to formalize it by registering your company with relevant regulatory bodies. Thereafter, embark on marketing through online and offline.
Profitability
I learned that industrial generator technicians collect a minimum of N20,000 to N50,000 for maintenance, while repair could cost N100,000 and above, depending on the severity of the damage.
So, if in a month, one can carry out five maintenance and two repairs, he or she would be making about N500,000 as additional monthly income.
