Minister urges adoption of sustainable energy for economic development

Dr. ogbonnaya Onu

Minister of Science and Technoogy, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has advocated for a secured and environmentally sustainable energy supply if Nigeria must fulfill the vision 2020:20.

The Minister made this submission in Abuja during a 2-day technical validation workshop on Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL).

He said the Federal Government was committed to the acceleration of the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country through the National Energy Policy, the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the vision 2020-20.

He stated that this can be achieved through the transformation of the nation’s economy from one based mainly on fossil fuel to a low carbon economy based around renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Minister said though sustainable energy for all initiative which was a global agenda was launched in 2011 during the United Nations General Assembly, it was important for all relevant stakeholders to deliberate in making it an action-plan for the realisation of sustainable energy for all in the country.

The Representative of the United Nations Development Program UNDP Country Director Mr. Muyiwa Odele said it has become imperative to meet the energy need of many Nigerians, through the promotion of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency.

 “the UNDP has been working tirelessly in partnership with the Energy Commission of Nigeria ECN and support from the Global Environment Facility GEF to put in place minimum energy performance standards for lighting and refrigerators for regulation of Sub-saharan products”.

“And also the establishment of standard energy efficiency testing laboratories for quality standardization for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria SON”.

Mr. Odele announced that the UNDP and ECN energy efficiency project which is parts of its contribution to ongoing national efforts to rebuild the Northeast which was destroyed by the terrorist group Boko Haram, in off-grid communities has been extended to ten more communities in Adamawa state.