Sep 3, 2020
#KnowYourNDCs: Industry & Power: Elements For Economic Transition in Achieving the #NDCs — by @IEgbedion
The 2030 electricity mix for Nigeria varies across the scenarios presented, with the most ambitious scenario achieving electricity access goals.
To meet our renwable energy goals, we must create a friendly clime for investors in the renewable energy space to thrive by ensuring political/economic stability, improving national security, upgrading infrastructures and addressing taxation. Conduct expert-based review of the Electrical Sector Reform Act, and National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency with the aim of improving total energy generation/transmission and implement all necessary adjustments. Government must invest or collaborate in Research and Development efforts to make sure electrical power solutions from renewable energy is easily accessible and affordable to the nation’s large population mostly made of up low-income earners. Government must partner with renewable energy companies to provide practical on-the-job training for the teaming populace of unemployed and unskilled Nigerian youths. This training will provide them with the necessary skills to get green jobs. The FGN must set up an investment fund and partner with financial institutions like the #BOI, #BOA and #CBN to provide loans and grants for the trainees to startup green businesses and supervise these businesses to ensure they are successful.
Nigeria has three key long-term ambitions for the electricity sector. Can Nigeria achieve the goal of universal electrification by 2040, 90% electrification by 2030; and the emission reduction targets party to in the #NDC?
Yes, Nigeria CAN achieve these goals if our Leadership implements clear decisive actions in the Energy sector:
- Improve national security
- Review relevant legislation to improve the ease of doing business and encourage FDIs e.g Tax regime.
- Implement financially transparent systems to improve sector accountability and reduce corruption
- Decentralise Power Transmissions
- Upgrade or overhaul current power sector infrastructures to be climate resilient
- Employ the right competent people in the power sector and provide relevant trainings to these persons
- Invest in Research and Development
- Increase the contribution of renewable energy sources in the power mix
The transformation of the power sector relies on a wide range of financial, policy & enabling environment-related conditions How do the political economy realities influence this largely?
The Nigeria political economy directly affects markets (emerging and existing), poverty rate, unemployment rate, welfare, inequality, taxation regimes, transitions, population and economic growth, ethnicity, religion, and culture. Political economy will increase business risks, reduce investments in the power sector disrupting interactions between the forces of supply and demand, affecting components like generated output, tariffs, quotas, and regulatory barriers. For the Nigerian power sector to undergo the much needed transformation, there is need for stability in the political clime i.e continuity of government and determination by successive governments to pursue a truly holistic power sector reform.
The transformation of Nigeria’s power sector faces various & interconnected challenges, some of which are common to both grid-based & decentralized electricity. How do we tackle these challenges?
The Nigerian power sector suffer challenges across the entire value chain — insufficient gas supply to power turbines, decrepit electrical power transmission network and unpaid grid bills on distribution due to power theft or inaccurate billing. To tackle this challenges Nigeria must first invest in upgrading and overhauling it’s dilapidated infrastructure across the whole electrical power supply value chain. Issues relating to insufficient gas supply due to gas pipeline vandalism can be resolved by the #NNPC and it’s responsible subsidiary
#PPMC proactively securing the nation’s petroleum pipeline network. Insufficient gas supply can be solved by including alternative energy sources like renewable energy sources to power our turbines. For example a WTE plant can generate enough steam to power a steam turbine and generate electricity. Another viable solution that will reduce pressure on already dilapidated infrastructure or national grid and reduce electricity tariff is generating electricity close to the point of use, evacuating generated energy and distributing to users. For problems associated with unpaid grid bills, all electrical distribution companies must be mandated (with the possibility of sanction) to procure and install functional measurement devices like prepaid meters in customer sites. Finally, the responsible ministry which is the Federal Ministry of Power must invest in periodic training/retraining of their employees to utilise these new equipment and effectively implement an efficient maintenance culture.
Fossil fuel-based back-up generation plays a substantial role in all scenarios. Data availability for this technology remains a significant source of uncertainty. What are your recommendations for the government?
Upgrade all fossil fuel-based equipment or facilities and incorporate technological tools and solutions that facilitates remote monitoring of the these fuel-based activities to accurately measure their efficiency and environmental impacts. The Government needs to actively invest and gradually transit from fossil-based backup energy generation to and alternative cleaner energy source. These sources include renewable energy sources like wind, geothermal, tidal, solar, and biomass.
To successfully drive government investments like all other call for investors, these Renewable Scientists and Engineers must show potential results on value to be created from funds invested, and proof of expected return on investments.
This is a tweet-chat series on #ClimateWednesday — #KnowYourNDCs
