Citing federal government’s effort to improve energy supply in Nigeria and the need to scale up energy efficiency that will go a long way to reduce demand, electricity bills, Green House Gas emissions which would allow more citizens with access to electricity saved, the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Federal Government of Nigeria is set to promote energy efficiency in residential and public sector in the country.
The four years project, will be implemented by UNDP while the Federal Ministry of Environment and Energy Commission of Nigeria would be part of the executing partner. GEF would fund the project that will last between February 2011 and March 2015.
The project is designed to enhance the capacity of all relevant stakeholders at the national level of concept,nature and potential of energy efficiency; develop policy and legal energy efficiency requirements of end-use appliances in Nigeria; train relevant professionals; carry out public outreaches and conduct pilot project where one million compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be distributed in residential and public buildings in the country. Opportunities to leverage carbon finance for the scaling up of energy efficient appliances will also be assessed.
In a situation analysis, it was revealed that for a population of over 140 million people in Nigeria, only about 40 per cent of these people have access to electricity, and a very large majority of these people leave in the urban areas. It was reported that: “In places where there is access to electricity, consumers suffer from frequent power outages which last for several hours. In a recent survey conducted in three large cities in Nigeria-Abuja, Lagos and Benin city, the survey from 150 respondents revealed that over 80 per cent of those interviewed do not get electricity supply for up to 24 hours a day (CREDC,2009). Majority of respondents get electricity from zero to about six hours a day. This is a likely reflection of the power supply scenario in all urban areas in Nigeria”.
“The power currently generated in Nigeria is inadequate and unstable, forcing a large portion of the industry, businesses and households to rely on diesel and petrol generators as a primary or back-up source of electricity, which can be expensive and a source of noise and air pollution.
“The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) like numerous utility companies in Africa, is facing difficulties to keep up with electricity demand. The Nigerian government has set a target to increase electricity generation to 10,000 MW by 2012, against an over all current demand estimated to be much higher than 10,000 MW. Subsequently, many gas-powered stations have been commissioned to increase generation and many more are expected to be commission to meet this target.
“Much of government’s focus has been to improve energy supply by generating electricity using gas powered thermal stations, which is a non-renewable source and will result in the emission of GHGs. With Nigeria having one of the largest gas reserve in the world and a large population,the high demand for electricity will force the government to invest and commission several more thermal stations to meet up with the demand. The poor power production and supply is further exacerbated by high distribution losses due to inefficient distribution system. In Nigeria, where the utility companies do not have enough energy to meet the needs of public and private sectors at the same time, energy supply is alternated.
“To complement on the energy supply side, the scaling up of energy efficiency measures in the public and private sector across Nigeria will go a long way to reduce energy demand, reduce electricity bills, reduce GHG emissions and hence would allow more citizens with access to electricity saved. Imbibing in energy efficiency culture would help to minimise the need to build more power stations, thus the earmarked funds could then be diverted into the more needy sectors of the economy.” it was stated.
GEF in 2009, approved a grant for UNDP to design a project to promote energy efficiency in residential and public sector. The overall objective of this project seeks to identify and overcome the technical, financial, institutional and regulatory barriers for the scaling up of energy efficient measures across Nigeria.
The project will also focus on improving the energy efficiency of a series of end-use equipment-refrigeration appliances, air conditioners, lighting, electric motors and fans, heating appliances among others, used in residential and public buildings-schools, hotels, offices-in Nigeria through the introduction of appropriate energy efficiency policies and measures and demand-side management programmes.
The project has four main components including sound policy and legislative framework; establishment of appliance testing centre and strengthening of the enforcement capacity; training, capacity development and awareness creation and pilot demonstration project to install CFLs.
Globally, there is concern over the way buildings are design which has led to the clamour for green building where adequate ventilation is provided and less dependence on electricity.
Mr. Muyiwa Odele, an official of UNDP in a statement at the weekend said the inception workshop for the project will take place in the nation’s capital, Abuja this week.
Source: Nigerian Compass