Energy Commission engages stakeholders on energy efficiency, investment in renewables
By Ibiyemi Mathew
The Energy Commission of Nigeria has engaged stakeholders at a one day workshop on renewable energy roadmap for Nigeria held in Abuja.
The stakeholders engagement which was held in collaboration with the International Renewable Agency (IRENA) was organised to create awarenes on the REmap-Nigeria report which will be officially launched in January at the IRENA General assembly in Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
In his opening remarks, the Director General/CEO of ECN, Professor Jidere Bala said, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) as the Federal Government Agency vested with the responsibility for strategic planning and coordination of national policies in the field of energy in all its ramification is mandated to among other things serve as the centre for gathering and dissemination of information relating to national policy in the field of energy development, liaise with international organisations in energy matters such as IRENA and to make recommendations to government for the exploitation of new sources of energy amongst other functions.”
Speaking further, he noted that, “The Commission promotes sustainable energy for sustainable national development through promotion of all viable renewable energy sources in the country.”
In 2014, IRENA setup a flagship program referred to as Renewable Energy Roadmap (REmap) study to support Member States explore how best to unlock renewable energy potentials in their countries, while also ensuring tremendous sustainable growth.
IRENA has so far conducted REmap studies for many member states including USA, South Africa, Central African Republic, Germany, China, UAE, etc. REmap study report supports and facilitates local and foreign investments in the renewable energy sector in Member States in view of the international credibility of IRENA.
In 2017, Nigeria through ECN keyed into the IRENA REmap program and IRENA Knowledge Office in Bonn, Germany took in some officers of ECN in 2019 in their Bonn office for three months to work on preliminary baseline information on renewable energy in Nigeria.
