The European Union, in continuation of its commitment to supporting the Federal Government in providing clean, affordable, and sustainable energy for all, has introduced two new projects worth €9 million in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Jerrymusa.com reports that during the project inception workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, the European Union revealed this in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
Nigeria’s Low Energy Generation
According to the World Bank, South Africa, which has a population of over 60 million, boasted of having 3,566 kilowatt-hours of electricity consumption per capita during the same period, while Nigeria, which has a population of over 200 million, only consumed 147 kilowatt-hours of electricity per capita in 2022.
The Central Bank of Nigeria reports that in September 2023, the nation’s average hourly data was 3,689.700 MWh. Despite this, the country is still facing challenges related to low power generation and inadequate distribution infrastructure.
In light of this, the collaboration was created to address the underprivileged partnership developed to address the poor energy situation in the country.
In order to combat pollution and climate change, the projects, Advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices and Small Hydro Power Development for Agro-industry Use in Nigeria, seek to improve energy accessibility.
Advancing Nigeria’s Green Transition to Net Zero via Circular Economy Practices is a three-year project with a budget of €4 million, whereas SHP-DAIN has a budget of €5 million. Both initiatives would be carried out by the UN Industrial Development Organisation, the EU stated.
The EU Global Gateway Strategy, a revolutionary endeavour to improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and advance sustainability through cooperation, includes both projects.
With regard to decarbonising its economy and striving for a transition to net zero emissions by 2060, these projects bring Nigeria one step closer to its sincere goal of making the shift towards a more sustainable and ecologically responsible future.
“The SHP-DAIN project would increase the capacity of small hydropower in Nigeria’s overall energy mix to promote productivity along the agricultural value chains and other businesses, enhance livelihoods, and promote food security and decent work, according to Ms.”
Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who spoke during the official launch of the projects in Abuja.
“The SHP-DAIN will support significant actors from the finance, government, and corporate sectors in increasing their capacity to understand the characteristics of small hydropower through customised training and knowledge management.
“It will facilitate the installation of SHP with a total capacity of 2 MW for agri-industrial applications throughout Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.”
In order to streamline policies and incentive programmes towards a greater use of solar heat pumping (SHP), “it will support the development of policies and an institutional framework on renewable energy for productive uses.” Cross-cutting activities for ensuring sustainability include awareness development, visibility promotion, gender strategy implementation, project management, and monitoring.
“In order to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, she claims that the project Advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices aims to improve the management of discarded off-grid energy equipment and plastics.
“Isopi went on to say that the new project would help to reinforce the legislative and regulatory framework on promoting circular economy principles and practices, the management of used energy equipment, and the related implementation capacity, while also supporting the strengthening of enabling institutions at the federal and state levels.”
“It will support cross-cutting activities for ensuring sustainability, which include awareness development, visibility promotion, implementation of gender strategies, project management, and monitoring, with the goal of strengthening the private sector through the development of business models to support SME-led circular economy practices, including the recycling and reuse of used equipment in the energy sector,” she continued.
“She went on to say that the involvement of the business sector is essential to the project’s success.”
During the official project launch, Adelabu Adebayo, the Minister of Power, expressed optimism that the projects will improve agricultural production and livelihoods in addition to improving the management of spent plastics and off-grid energy equipment.