Govt targets 10 per cent rise in renewable power generation by 2020

The project will contribute to the reduction of GHGs related to the renewable electricity targets established voluntarily by government, which aims to achieve a contribution of 10 per cent installed capacity of various sources of renewables by 2030.

AMID calls for a rapid shift to low-emission energy pathways that would ensure a relatively stable climate, Nigeria may soon incorporate low carbon systems in power generation and supply, which is expected to increase the production of renewable energy up to 10 per cent by 2030.

The project promoted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will contribute to the reduction of Greenhouse gas (GHGs) related to the renewable electricity targets established voluntarily by Federal Government; supports development and implementation of a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) in the energy sector.

Coming under the project “Promoting Low Carbon Energy Solutions in Nigeria Energy/Power Supply”, NAMA is a mitigation action tailored to the national context and capabilities, in accordance with national sustainable development priorities. Introduced in the Bali Action Plan in 2007/INDC (intended nationally determined contribution) in Lima 2014, NAMAs provide opportunities for national mitigation efforts to receive appropriate support.

The proposed initiative is piloting implementation of the NAMA activities around a 100 MW private sector solar PV plant in Bauchi State and developing a GIS-based tool to guide private developers in siting geographical locations for PV, wind as well as biomass projects across Nigeria based on several criteria, including renewable energy resource potential, grid coverage and stability, environmentally sensitive areas, and physical infrastructure, among others.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has estimated that it will cost up to $250-270 billion per year to shift developing countries to 20 percent renewable energy by 2025 to meet the combined challenges of energy access, energy security and climate change.

At a stakeholders’ review and validation meeting organised by UNDP in Abuja recently, participants argued that despite high potential for private sector interest and involvement, barriers to the implementation of low-carbon energy systems will increase the cost of capital by increasing the risks to investments.

According to them, higher risks reduce the financial attractiveness of investments in low-emission systems, thereby preventing or slowing down the required transformation in energy systems.

Prof Emmanuel Oladipo of the University of Lagos in a presentation titled: “Derisking renewable energy NAMA for the Nigerian power sector,” noted that the project will increase security and sovereignty of energy supply at the national level by reducing dependence on gas and high-quality access to energy at competitive prices and reducing the impact on natural resources and environment.

He stressed that the UNDP-GEF project will support the Federal Government to implement the component of its INDC related to the power sector, particularly with respect to utilising solar PV – in line with government’s endorsement of the Copenhagen Accord.

According to Prof Oladipo, the new project will also be increasing social equality and reducing energy poverty, through increased access to quality and affordable energy services, especially in the northern states; potentially expanding electricity grid coverage to capitalise on indigenous renewable energy sources that will facilitate rural electricity programmes using appropriate and cost-effective technologies.

On national benefit of the project, he said, it would facilitating the creation of conditions for sustainable socio-economic development in rural, isolated villages and country borders by improving the quality of life of the rural population and encouraging the promotion of productive uses of energy (this is assumed under conditions of larger penetration of solar PV (all renewables) of around 10