Lagos – The European Union (EU) is set to invest in entrepreneurial ideas that will boost renewable energy in Nigeria
Amb. Ketil Karlsen, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made this known in Lagos
on Thursday night during the ‘Green Event’ organised by the union.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that renewable
energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are
naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain,
tides, waves, and geothermal heat
Karlsen said the EU would continue to support all efforts toward ensuring that
Nigeria meet its target of 30 per cent energy mix by 2030.
Nigeria generates less than 10% of her electricity, needs to do more -Country
Manager, D.Light(Opens in a new browser tab)
The envoy said that the union was enabling communities in
Nigeria harness the power of the sun to generate renewable energy.
The EU has set aside 165 million euros (N67.8 billion) for
intervention in Nigeria’s energy sector to improve energy access to over 90
million Nigerians and business owners without access to energy.
Nigeria among leaders in renewable energy, says Fashola(Opens in a new browser
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He said that there was the need to put a spotlight on renewable energy and the
need for renewable energies in Nigeria, for a sustainable future.
According to him, already in Nigeria, there is a population
of 200 million people, of which at least 80 million people do not have access
to clean, affordable and stable energy.
“So already, there is so much to do to have access to energy to provide
electricity to hospitals, health facilities, schools and for businesses.
“This is because by the end of the day, without having
affordable energy supply, the businesses will not be competitive. They will not
be able to compete with other countries.
“We look for investment projects, opportunities to invest in young dynamic
entrepreneurs that have the great ideas to boost use of renewable energy.
“So it is about finding the right formula that will allow
that development to take place; that will allow that job creation to take place,’’
Karlsen said.
The ambassador said that ensuring the use of renewable energy should be done in
a manner not to undermine the environment.
“It should be done in a manner where we do not add to the
already existing climate change in Nigeria and elsewhere.
“So this is the resounding message that we are giving today. Take this matter
seriously; listen to the young population; and for everybody to participate in
this.
“It is not only for politicians, to show the way.
“It is also for the general population, for each individual, for the families,
for the communities and for the businesses to contribute to seeing the
provision of clean, affordable, stable energy for Nigerians,’’ he said. Karlsen
said that the EU would help in developing best practices for renewable energy
in the country.
He said that Nigeria had set a quite ambitious target 30 per
cent energy mix in 2030, which all must work together to achieve. According to
him, the European Union has also decided that nothing under 32 per cent
renewable energy in 2030 is acceptable.
“We are already well
on our way.
We aim for 20 per cent in 2020 and then we will gradually increase.
“This train has left the station already and those that want to join it; those
that want to make business out of the energy sector; they need to keep their
eyes open for this,’’ the envoy said. According to him, fortunately, we see a
lot of creativity, a lot of dynamism here in Nigeria in general and Lagos in
particular.
“That is why we wanted to come here today, share notes with
all of those vibrant industries and creative people; young people in
particular; as this is a matter that we need to continue to take seriously. “We
need to put it on the agenda but we should not just leave it for politicians to
solve all the problems for us. We should also contribute,’’ Karlsen said. (NAN)
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