In order to end fossil fuel development, the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) has told the federal government to diversify resources to promote and grow renewable energy hubs for West Africa. HELEN OJI reports.
Background
Nigeria’s power generation is currently dominated by fossil fuels, predominanly petroleum products, coal, oil and gas.
The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR), says more than 81 per cent of the total energy consumed in Nigeria is produced using petroleum products and gas, while hydro power generates just 17.59 per cent. The country, despite its abundant renewable energy resources, still generate less than 5,000 megawatts of electricity for its more than 180 million population.
Nigeria is not totally running on unclean energy, as the country currently has four hydroelectric power plants generating power alongside fossil fuel plants. However, energy experts are of the view that in order for developing economies, like Nigeria, to meet their ever-growing energy needs, they must diversify their renewable energy sources to encompass solar, water, wind, and even biomass as their developed economies counterparts have done.
The advantages of utilising the different forms of renewable energy cannot be over emphasised, especially where population growth far outstrips the country’s capacity to generate power and its industrial sector needs are rising; with the attendant consequences of environmental pollution.
Though wind energy generation is limited in the world as it produces 2.5 per cent of the world’s energy and even more so in Nigeria, and hasn’t gained ground yet, it is China’s fourth largest energy provider. Strong winds have been recorded in the middle belt and hilly northern parts of the country in places like Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto and are yet to be harnessed to complement solar and other forms of energy used in the country. As renewable advocates are clamouring for diversification in the use of renewable energy, given that they are not controllable and thus limiting efficiency when relying on resources outside of human control, many experts say now is the time for Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities and, especially, the decreasing cost of building renewable energy plants as scientists keep making discoveries to make renewable energy more efficient and cost-effective.
Promoting energy access
According to the Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, the Nigerian government has been told to diversify national energy sources to encourage state and non-state actors to develop mini-grid and off-grid solar energy systems to promote greater energy access by all.
He made these submissions recently in a presentation titled: “Life beyond oil: Towards a post-petroleum economy for Nigeria.”
“The government was also told to put an end to fossil fuel development and show commitment for renewable energy options and grow to become the renewable energy hub for West Africa.
He stated that the paper, which entailed a comparative analysis of oil and gas and the prospects of energy transition in the country, also called on the authorities to halt investments in oil and gas sector and channel public finance, loans and subsidies from oil and gas sector and divestment of such funds to renewable energy sector.
“In particular, Nigeria’s Green Bond, and the Bank of Industry, it said, should support and step up investments to individuals and Community Energy Cooperatives in the renewable energy sector.
Encouraging the energy sector
Dr. Ojo, a political ecologist, wants the renewable energy sector encouraged through subsidies, grants, and tax holidays including elimination or reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from the current level of 7.5% “as a crucial step to encouraging the transition”.
“While demonstrating political will and reducing corruption for renewable energy to thrive in Nigeria, the government should include renewable energy technologies and climate change in the school curriculum to empower the youths and make them solutions to the national energy poverty,” he said.
More advocacy
He added that calling on civil society groups to increase advocacy and policy engagement with the government to embrace renewable energy and take action to put an end to oil and gas development.
Dr. Ojo also urged civil society to encourage a national renewable energy policy that recognises state and non-state actors in a decentralised energy production system as crucial for realising the country’s existing huge gaps in citizens’ access to electricity.
Federal, state and local governments
“Civil society should demand federal, state and local governments’ involvement in the provision of mini-grids and off-grids solar systems and other renewable energy options. They should also conduct practical demonstrations and cluster community energy projects in the communities to promote access to cleaner energies,” said the ERA/FoEN head.
He further told communities to not only set up Community Energy Cooperatives and raise awareness on renewable energy options, but they should take advantage of the decentralised energy system production and supply by investment and control in renewable energy systems in collaboration with NGOs.
Govt intervention
According to him, government intervention through subsidies, grants, and tax holidays are crucial steps to achieving the transition. “Apart from dealing with the problem of political will and corruption in government establishments, Nigeria’s Bank of Industry should step up support and investments in the renewable energy sector.”
Nigeria must catch up
He insisted that the lack of a timely shift to renewable energy sources development in Nigeria means that the country is being left behind in the new global energy transition, warning that the country may pay a huge price of becoming a dumping ground for cleaner technologies and products.
“Nigeria can quickly become the renewable energy hub of West Africa if it makes the right investment on human capital development with our youths at the driving seat of sustainable development and in the generation of green jobs that are far more rewarding with high employment absorption than oil and gas,” he stated.
He noted that the research toward a post petroleum economy was commissioned by ERA/FoEN to provide some cost-benefit analysis of oil and gas and the prospects of renewable energy for Nigeria.
He said, “It is to help policy makers to take the bold step toward a post-petroleum economy for Nigeria while depending less on oil and gas revenues. The research, which builds on decades of campaign to “leave the oil in the soil”, focuses on the benefits of oil and gas in relation to the renewable energy sector.”
