Yemisi Izuora
The federal government has directed the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to explore alternative energy sources.
Nigeria’s energy crises have worsened due to attacks on oil installations, leading to the bursting of gas pipelines.
Rabiu Suleiman, the group general manager for the renewable energy division at NNPC, said the company is ready to collaborate with stakeholders in the power sector to develop the renewable sector, particularly solar.
Suleiman said the NNPC would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with an indigenous firm, NIGUS International, in order to form a partnership towards transforming the entire country in the use of alternative energy.
According to him, It is a very welcome development and this is an effort that government has been making for several years. It forms part of the various discussions that President Muhammadu Buhari has undertaken in different countries including China and United State of America.
“Most importantly during the COP 21 in Paris and most recently in America, the President committed himself to the United Nations conventions and requirements to reduce carbon footprint.”
The minister of environment, Amina Mohammed, representing the at COP22 which held in Morocco last year, noted how the country was planning to develop the renewable energy sector.
Mohammed said the government is planning to launch the first green bond in Q1 2017, which will serve to fund a pipeline of projects that were targeted at reducing emissions.
In November 2016, the annual West African Power Industry Convention witnessed the launch of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN).
REAN is an umbrella association for organisations working across the renewable energy spectrum within the country, including renewable energy enterprises, project developers, and promoters.
The association is set to provide a strong private sector voice to call for policies and regulation, which catalyze the growth of the renewable energy market and increase finance to the sector.