The Sixth edition of the Nigeria’s Alternative Energy Exposition (NAEE) took place from October 19th to 21st 2016 at Shehu Yar’adua Conference Centre Abuja.
The NAEE, anchored by Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria(SEPAN) and organised by Mathesis events represents Nigeria’s largest gathering of policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, investors and consumers brainstormed and brought to practical focus the implementation of Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) using renewable and energy efficient sources in line with President Buhari’s commitment at the Paris Agreement.
The three-day Expo attracted dignitaries French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria Suomela-Chowdhury, Project Manager Africa-EU,RECP Ina de Visser, the Chairman of Southern African Sustainable Energy Association Alwyn Smith, Senior Government officials from the Ministries, Department and Agencies(MDAs), among other numerous participants from the private and public sectors, academic, the civil society organization and media. Over twenty (20) manufacturers in renewable energy sector exhibited their products.
This years’ Expo had twelve (12) Plenary Session format with Panellists drawn among delegates hinged on practical implementation of Nigeria’s INDC. Accordingly, SEPANS led initiative under the National Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) Framework presented two key intervention projects under energy: renewable and energy efficient sources. Various Panel of Discussants also touched on mobilising climate finance for INDC implementation in Nigeria; challenges and opportunities for private sector participation in Renewable and energy efficient projects in Nigeria; Developing GHG inventory and the accompanying MRV system in Nigeria; Legislative Framework in Renewable and energy efficient projects(The all-inclusive Nigeria Climate change Bill 2016 before National Assembly was x-rayed); the green growth agenda for Nigeria with Nigeria’s Great Green Wall as a case study; Domestication of Science and technology in RE and EE sources for sustainability; Green Campus Initiatives and SEPAN’s 2016 Intervention programme: Data collection and collation for renewable energy sources.
At the end of the three-day Conference, delegates resolved as follows:
1. To thank President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Paris Climate Change Agreement and request for expeditious ratification so as to enable Nigeria partake from the accompanying opportunities therein;
2.That SEPAN provide support to relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies(MDAs) for the development of Framework on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions(NAMAs) for the five priority sectors chosen in Nigeria’s Internal Nationally Determined Contribution(INDC): Energy; Gas flaring; Agriculture and Land Use; Industry and Transport;
3.To Commend the Federal Government for the zeal shown recently at ensuring that renewable and energy efficient sources of energy are mainstreamed as investment with private sector participation;
That we note with concern the deficiency in our energy infrastructure over the years in Nigeria and the need to expand the services is imperative hence the drive towards renewable energy.
4. That the Federal Government through Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) with the support from Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) should oversee the importation of quality renewable energy products into the country. Importation of substandard products by quacks has painted genuine investors in the sector in bad light;
5.That there should be one stop desk office in the Federal Ministry of Finance. This office should serve as first point of call for local and local investors on green growth projects to explore challenges and opportunities in Nigeria;
6.That the regulatory agency National Electrici regulatory Commission (NERC) should be much more proactive, independent and transparent in RE and EE regulations;
7. That there is the need to for collaboration between the Federal and State Government and the Private Sector to support training and job creation provided by off-grid renewable energy market for technicians, installers and artisans;
8. That there is the need to domesticate our science and technology innovations in renewable and energy efficient sources for sustainability. Accordingly, we implore on stakeholders, researchers and inventors to begin to share knowledge and not hoard it, as this will to a large extent help the sector to grow;
9. That we call upon relevant Stakeholders, development partners to collaborate with SEPAN’s robust Data Base Department for the collection and collation of data on Renewable and Energy efficient sources;
10.That the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) should re-invent itself as the Renewable Energy Development Agency and focus on the promotion of off-grid, mini-grid renewable energy solutions working with the private sectors investors to achieve fast rural electrification.11. That the renewable energy and energy efficient policy will only be more potent if it is backed by law. This will boost access to energy services and ensure the sustainable growth of clean energy contribution to Nigeria’s energy mix and attract investors to the sector. Therefore SEPAN will support and encourage the Climate Change Bill (2016) on the floor of the National Assembly which seeks to give legal teeth to sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure, among others;
12. We call upon the Federal Government to fine tune its industrial waste management practices to enable her tap on the future electronic waste fortune;13. In line with the West African Countries resolution in June this year at the African Carbon Forum in Kigali Rwanda that drive the establishment of West African Emission Trading Association (WAETA). A Working Support Group was inaugurated at the last day of the Conference with Nigeria’s Dr Sunny Akpoyibo as Chairman while Mr Marc Daubrey from Cote d’Ivoire as Secretary.
14. The Stakeholders resolved to pursue with vigour the Nigeria’s local content policy in the renewable and energy efficient sector, imploring the developers and oil companies that are diversifying their investment into this sector not to go to the contrary this lofty policy of the Federal Government.
Signed
Dr Magnus C. Onuoha
President, SEPAN
Mr Suleiman Yussuf
Secretary, SEPAN
Mr Larry Edeh
Head Publicity/Communication, SEPAN
Dr Sunny Akpoyibo
Head CSR/Finance, SEPAN
