Country Sets Ambitious Renewable Energy
Target
Aug 27, 2008 - Leadership/All Africa Global Media
Nigeria has set an ambitious target of moving 20 per
cent of the country to off-grid renewable energy sources
by 2012.
Renewable energy presently contributes less than one
per cent of the country's energy mix profile.
Dr Victor Fodeke, Head of the Nigeria Special Climate
Change Unit, told NAN yesterday in Accra that the move
was aimed at addressing Nigeria's "awful" energy situation.
"We have set targets for achieving this ambition within
the stated time frame and this include energy saving programme
for the country," he said.
Others, according to him, are the adoption of energy
efficient strategies, the mass popularisation of solar
energy plants, wind and small hydro-energy plants and
encouraging investment in bio-mass for energy generation.
He said that the project would also enhance the Clean
Development Mechanism status of the country.
He said that with strict implementation of the guidelines
and the roadmap already prepared for presentation to the
federal government, the country's energy situation would
change for the better in line with the President Umaru
Yar'Adua's seven point agenda.
He called on foreign investors to participate in the
energy sector to enable the country achieve the vision
2020 goals.
Fodeke, who is leading Nigeria's delegation to the Climate
Change Talks, said that by adopting such plan the country
was joining global efforts to embrace green energy and
reduce carbon dioxide emission. (NAN)