By Patience Chat Moses
Stakeholders, including government officials, experts, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have called for enhanced strategies to address climate change and air pollution while creating a more affordable and resilient energy system aimed at improving the economy and the quality of life.
This call was at the sidelines of 3rd Annual International Conference on Renewable energy themed “Road to Net Zero: Actionable Initiatives for Success.”
Speaking at the conference, the President of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Association (Alliance) REEEA-A, Magnus Onuoha, highlighted the achievements and vision of the Alliance over the past five years.
He emphasized that, in collaboration with seven associated organizations, the Alliance has actively worked towards improving energy access and security in Nigeria and beyond.
He stated that through its mission, the Alliance has enhanced the quality and standards of renewable energy technologies, research, and policy by fostering knowledge generation and dissemination for sustainable development.
Onuoha highlighted key milestones of the Alliance, including the standardization and validation of energy efficiency measures and the harmonization of renewable energy policies between 2020 and 2021.
He further stated that the Alliance has also provided regulatory support to both public and private sector clients, focusing on network and information exchange, youth and gender empowerment, and research support services.
He acknowledged the contributions of partners such as the Nigeria Energy Support Program (NESP), a joint initiative between the European Union, the German government, the Federal Ministry of Power, and GIZ.
Access Bank was also recognized for its sponsorship, underscoring the significance of private-sector involvement in achieving net-zero targets.
Onuoha stated that the theme “Net Zero” centres around addressing climate change and air pollution while creating a more affordable and resilient energy system.
He indicated that achieving net-zero emissions offers a path to a more productive economy and improved quality of life, focusing on human progress and sustainability.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (REEEA-A), Abubakar Sani Sambo, emphasized that Nigeria ratified the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 and 2017, particularly highlighting Goals 7 and 13.
He stressed that Goal 7 aims for universal access to modern energy services by 2030, with a significant uptake of renewable energy and a 50 per cent increase in energy efficiency.
He warned that if climate change is not tackled, it could lead to dire consequences, including food insecurity and global warming.
Sambo reminded participants that the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a 50-year development plan, recognises climate change as a pressing issue for the continent.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Power to strive harder to achieve Nigeria’s target of 30% renewable energy by 2030, emphasising that more needs to be done to reach the renewable energy goal of 10,000 megawatts.
Sambo also pointed out that the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Nigerian government have developed a renewable energy roadmap indicating that Nigeria can generate up to 178,000 megawatts of renewable electricity. This, he emphasised, is achievable with strong political will and commitment.
He said the conference is expected to play a pivotal role in preparing Nigeria for the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, where discussions will contribute to Nigeria’s stance on energy and climate matters at the international level.
Additionally, the Alliance introduced its $7 billion, 10-year Climate Change Action Plan Hub (CLASH) for Sustainable Energy in Africa, which aims to drive net-zero initiatives across the continent. Launched in Dubai in 2023, the CLASH project is set to fund clean energy projects over the next decade.
Sambo urged participants to engage in meaningful discussions and focus on actionable strategies that will help Nigeria achieve its net-zero targets by 2050.
Earlier, the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented by the deputy director of the Power and Energy Division, Owolabi Sunday, acknowledged the pressing challenges posed by climate change and the need for Nigeria to transition from traditional energy sources to cleaner alternatives.
He highlighted that Nigeria is blessed with abundant renewable resources such as sunlight, wind, and water, and therefore, transitioning to renewable energy is essential for the country’s sustainable future.
