An International Analyst, on renewable energy innovation for developing countries at International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)United Arab Emirates, Arina Anisie has expressed concern over low investments in renewable energy in Africa.
Anisie said this in Nsukka on Friday virtually in a lead paper presentation during a conference organised by Sustainable, Clean and Emerging Energy Technologies Group (SCEET-G) University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) collaborated with SCEET-G UNN to organise the conference with the theme, “Clean Energy Systems for Sustainable Power and Environment.”
Anisie said that statistics available showed that Africa had only 2 per cent of renewable energy investments globally, which she argued was little to achieve sustainable renewable energy in the continent.
“There is need for more investments in Africa terms of renewable energy if the continent really want to achieve sustainable renewable energy.
“The present two per cent investments on renewable energy is not enough to achieve United Nation’s goal 7, on access to clean and affordable energy for all by the year 2030,” she said.
According to her, more investments in renewable energy in Africa would not only enhance more access to clean energy in the continent but would also create more jobs as well as fast track development in all economic sectors.
In a remark, Mr. Khalil Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman, NASENI who chaired the conference said that the agency is strategically positioned under the presidency to fast track the development of a strong science and technology base in Nigeria.
“NASENI has the mandate to fast track development of strong science and technology base in the country which renewable is part of the mandate.
“The world is urgently moving away from burning fossil fuels which pollute the environment with carbon dioxied to nuclear, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, water, wind and hydroelectric energy sources as innovative clean energy technologies,” he said.
Halilu, who was represented by Prof. Umar Gaya, Coordinating Director Science Infrastructure in NASENI, explained that the agency in 2011 established solar PV Panel manufacturing modular/solar and solar PV power developing and installing company known as NASENI Solar Energy Ltd (NSEL), Abuja.
The Executive Vice Chairman commended the SCEET-G UNN for the conference as well as finding him worthy to chair the conference.
He pledged that NASENI would continue to do its best towards achieving sustainable and clean energy in the country.
Prof. Mohammed Ndaliman, the Managing Director, Scientific Development Institute (SEDI) Minna, Niger State in a keynote speech titled “Emerging Green Energy Technologies: Application and Impacts” emphasised the importance of renewable energy in boosting electricity.
Ndaliman, highlighted types of emerging green energy technologies to include: advanced solar panels, floating offshore wind, green hydrogen, advanced nuclear power, among others.
“These emerging green technologies are vital for energy sustainability since they can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel as well as mitigate climate change globally,” he said.
In a remark, the Acting Vice-chancellor of UNN, Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo, represented by Prof. Emenike Ejiogu, Director, World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED).
Ezeokonkwo commended SCEET-G for organizing the conference, as well as NASENI for collaborating and sponsoring the conference.
“The theme of the conference is apt especially now that the world is being ravaged by the consequences of climate change due to dependence on fossil energy by many countries as a primary source of energy.
“Clean energy systems have been identified as not only the solution to the climate change but also as avenues to providing clean energies to supplement and substitute fossil energies which emit obnoxious gases to the environment.
“I challenge you all who are involved in the research development and dissemination of renewable energy technologies not to relent until sustainable solutions to the insufficient energy and power supply are obtained both in Nigeria and globally,” he said.
The Acting VC noted that may research groups, faculties and centres in the university are working assiduously through research, to eradicate the menace of the perennial power outage and high cost of generating electricity through oil and gas.
“Recently, a 500kva waste to energy gasification plant was demonstrated by the faculty of engineering, courtesy of the research team led by Prof. Ejiogu,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, Prof. Edmund Okoroigwe, the Coordinator of SCEET-G and Chairman, conference planning committee said that the research group focused on research and development of new and emerging technologies that ensure zero emission of harmful gases.
“Our research centres on technologies around renewable energy, clean coal, energy infrastructure and materials.
“As part of our activities, this hybrid international conference is organised as a platform for dissemination of research findings and interactive platform for new frontiers in clean energy research,” he said.
The Coordinator commended the NASENI boss for collaborating with SCEET-G UNN in organising the conference as well as sponsorsing the conference.
Okoroigwe also applauded participants of the conference both physically and virtually as well as members of his group who contributed in various capacities to ensure the success of the conference.
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