NIGERIA COMMITTED TO ENERGY TRANSITION – MINISTER OF POWER
Oru Leonard
In a quest to boost and improve the electricity supply industry in Nigeria, including renewable energy, a follow-up meeting was held today, 14th February, 2022 at the Conference room of the Federal Ministry of Power, Maitama, Abuja. G.I.Z Country Director and her team, led by German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Martin Huth paid the Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu a courtesy visit.
Engr. Abubakar, speaking during the meeting, affirmed the Federal Government commitment to see that Nigerians have effective power supply through renewable energy. He stated that the Ministry’s collaboration with G.I.Z under Nigerian Energy Support Program (NESP), had remotely mapped over 3,937 settlements, 3244,605 buildings and 60,183km of 11 and 33kv medium voltage line of the grid in 28 states.
The data when concluded will provide information for electrification and planning, least cost, electricity access and decision making for would be investors.
Abubakar further said that six Solar PV mini-grid developed under NESP I is providing sustainable electricity to more than 15,000 people as at 2020, and 100,000 addition people would be reached under NESP II through the Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (MAS).
While congratulating the newly elected government in Germany, Abubakar chronicled further the collaboration between G.I.Z and Nigeria and said NESP II supports skill development in the sector with 7 vocational training offered, especially targeting an increase of women in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency industry. He further informed the meeting that under the Inter-connected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS) of NESP II, Rural Electrification materials valued at Nine million Euros (€9M) will be handed over to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on the 17th of February, 2022.
Speaking earlier the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Martin Huth commended the efforts of Federal Government particularly in the Power Sector and stated the German government commitment to continue supporting the Ministry of Power.
He disclosed the purpose of their visit which is to introduce the need for energy transition which he tagged as the future of the energy industry abd Stated that the Nigeria – German Hydrogen office has been created in Nigeria to support Nigeria to access the potential of Green Hydrogen in her energy transition efforts and her export diversification intentions and also to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to tap into the potential in the future.
He further conveyed an invitation to the Honourable Minister to attend a conference of energy transition dialogue in Germany slated for the end of March, 2022.
G.I.Z is an enterprise entirely owned by the Federal Government of Germany, supporting it in achieving its objective in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.
