The Federal Government has unveiled plans to meet 30 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2030.
The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, gave this hint in his keynote address at the 2018 pre-conference workshop of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos
The minister said that the current component of grid power consisted mainly of gas-fired power which accounts for 85 percent of the energy while hydropower provides the balance of 15 percent.
According to him, recent climatic and other developments have made it imperative for the country to invest in renewable energy sources such that it could raise its contribution to the energy mix by 30 percent by 2030.
He explained: “Let me be clear and unequivocal by saying upfront that our commitment as a nation and government to pursue renewable and low carbon energy at low cost is clear, firm and unshaking. But this is not all. It is a commitment driven by necessity, contract and policy,” he said.
Fashola pointed out that government had also translated its intent into actions such as in the signing of solar power purchase agreement with 14 companies with the potential to deliver over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the system.
This is even as he disclosed that in furtherance of the need necessity to diversify the nation’s energy sources from gas and provide some energy security, the present administration was also committed to pursuing renewable energy by contractual deals.
While harping on the urgent need for Africa to intensify efforts at improving transmission grid for renewable energy, the minister said that Nigeria had adopted several international treaties and policies which promote the use of renewable energy.
He explained that the steps were in line with the national vision to provide incremental power, and then steady and uninterrupted power.
Fashola hinted further that the Federal Government approved an integrated energy mix targets recently under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30, which targets generation of 30 GW in 2030, with 30 percent from renewable energy sources.
