Nigeria is a country with an estimate population of 170 million people, 65% of which are between the ages of 18 to 45 years. Only 40% of the population has access to electricity supply. This lacking percentage has propelled the government to seek alternative energy supply through exploring and exploiting the country’s renewable energy potential, otherwise known as clean energy. There are policies and plans that have been implemented in the past to expressly demonstrate the government’s commitment towards developing the country’s renewable energy profile and increasing its accessibility.

The first Renewal Energy Master Plan (REMP) was drafted in 2005, then revised and re-developed in 2012, but it was not approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). In April 2015, the government approved the Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP), proposed by the Federal Ministry of Power. (HBS Nigeria and NESG SPC 2016).

Agencies responsible for implementation of this policy are The Ministry of Power, Energy Commission of Nigeria, (ECN) and some related sub-sections of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). They are to be supervised by the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). (Power.gov.ng 2015).

The Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy is expected to fix a structure and capability of dealing with Nigeria’s energy supply crisis. It is intended to improve energy security and increase power output at least 2,000MW of electricity. It is intended to prove that by 2020 Nigeria’s renewable electricity generation activities will surpass the ECOWAS regional target for 2020, and beyond. (NREEP pg. 2)

Renewable energy use under NREEEP will be based on hydropower, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, wave, and tidal energy, all to be utilized in vast scale. Renewable energy resources are estimated at over 68,000MW, five times the current power output of 3,800MW in the country. This increased production of renewable energy is expected to contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development as well as the promotion of investments, international trade, and cooperation (NREEP xi)

There also will be reduced air pollutions from heavy use of generators, which of course will in turn lower health cost. Clean energy for all Nigerians will help combat climate change, and foster mitigation. (Proshareng 2017)

Nigeria has adapted energy-efficient measures to meet its Paris Agreement commitment. In view of the global report on Nigeria’s energy problem, the government needs to use all available resources to solve its electricity and climate change issues. Now the challenge will be in effectively implementing this new policy.

Please send the following message to the policymaker(s) below.

Babatunde Fashola, Hon. Minister of Power

Dear Hon. Minister Babatunde Fashola,

This shift is a good step in a right direction, we commend you. You need to recognize that energy problems do not exist in a vacuum. Meaning, Nigeria must urgently concentrate time, resources and efforts on the avenues of implementation-not just an emergency approach but a tailored multi-year support system designed to enforce, sustain, control and maintain renewable energy projects. You can avoid cheap and poorly integrated components that make solar street lighting become a ‘quick fix’ in some cities of the federation. The need to train the end-users in communities, ensure quality installers and vendors are employed and held accountable can be a small scale start into a large one. Also,a progressive and statistical energy-use reporting system is necessary to broadly prevent and end power outages once and for all and protect our environment.

Contact:

Minister Babatunde
9th Floor, Federal Secretariat Towers, Shehu Shagari Way,
Central Area, Garki Abuja
Email: info@works.gov.ng

Learn More:

A detail and copy of the Nigerian Renewal Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy is available at: http://nigeriaelectricityhub.com/Nigerian-renewal-energy-and-energy-efficiency-policy

Foreign relations report on Nigeria’s energy problem is available at: http://foreignaffairs.com/the-global-threat-of-nigeria’s-energy-crisis

A news article on renewable energy plan by Nigerian government is available at: http://punchng.com/FG-targets-30-per-cent-in-renewable-energy-mix-by-2030