RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN
NIGERIA; POLICY CHOICE FOR
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ECHETA, D.O. , OJIUKO, A.A , &
MIRIKWEH, I.R.
Introduction
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Economies world over depend on energy to advance
economic growth and development.
In the frame work of globalization, Nigeria is not an
exception to energy demand responses and policies.
To Gbadebo and Okonkwo (2009) Nigeria is seen as
one of the greatest developing nations in Africa with
highly endowed natural resources including potential
energy resources.
Good energy policy is expected to have feed back
effect on the growth pattern of any economy, be it
developed or developing
Rationale and motivation for
the paper
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The black gold is a depleting asset and would
exhaust in the near future.
Hence the need to prosecute energy related
policies to mitigate the eventual depletion of
the crude oil.
Orhewere and Macheme (2011) citing Masih
and Masih (1996) contend that growth in
energy demand is an input in to the level of
economic development of any nation.
Relevance of the study
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The traditional non renewable products have
a lot of health related issues leading to skin
cancer and other health challenges.
The objective of this paper is to provide
alternatives to traditional energy sources and
to move to renewable energy which
expectedly is more efficient, cleaner and in
the long run affordable to final consumers.
Organization of the work
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Section one is introduction.
Section two has the literatures to support the
answer to the questions raised.
Section three deals with renewable energy
and the Nigerian economy.
Section four x-rays interventions for
sustainable renewable energy
while
Section five deals with conclusion and
recommendation.
Review of literature
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Energy policy is important in any economy if
the policy makers have the intentions of
driving growth.
However, the most remarkable advancement
by the Nigerian government was in 2003,
when the Energy Commission of Nigeria
(ECN) rectified and assented to the National
Energy Policy (NEP) programme.
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This framework according to Gahlawat,
Harper, Hendericks, Okoye, Pankow and
Serpico (2009) outlines the government’s
policies, strategies and objectives in regard to
energy use and development.
To Lukman (2003) Nigeria’s Energy Policy is
expected to promote the harnessing of all
viable and potential energy resources so as to
achieve optimal energy mix.
Why the Use of Renewable
Energy
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The importance of renewable energy is
captured in the NEP objectives which are
geared towards diversification of renewable
energy use to facilitate economic growth.
The major highlight of the objectives of the
National Energy Policy are as follows; as
contained in Gahlawat et al (2003) citing
Lukman 2003
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To ensure the development of the nation’s
energy resources with diversified energy
resources option for the achievement of
national energy security and an efficient
energy delivery system with an optimal
mix.
To ensure and guarantee adequate, reliable
and sustainable supply of energy at
appropriate costs and in an environmentally
friendly manner, to the various sectors of
the economy, for national development.
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To guarantee increased contribution of
energy productive activities to national
income.
To guarantee an efficient and cost effective
consumption pattern of energy resources.
To accelerate the process of acquisition
and diffusion of technology and managerial
expertise in the energy sector and
indigenous participation in energy sector
industries, for stability and self-reliance.
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To promote increased investments
and development of the energy sector
industries with substantial private
sector participation
To ensure a comprehensive,
integrated and well informed energy
sector plans and programmes for
effective development.
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To Gahlawat et al (2009) quoting
Lukman (2003) NEP states the goal of
providing 75 percent of the population
with electricity by 2020. Hence, the
need for diversifying the energy supply
sources to achieve a near adequate
mix.
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To collaborate internationally in
energy trade and projects
development in both African region
and the world at large.
To use the nation’s abundant energy
resources to promote international cooperation.
Potentials of Renewable
Energy in Nigeria and Policy
Choice.
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Nigeria is endowed with large deposits of natural gas
energy to the extent that the quantity of natural gas
is at least twice as much as the oil.
To EIA (2004) Natural gas has the potentialities of
dominating emerging market as its demand is
increasing in folds.
Thus, the need to x-ray each type of renewable
energy choice available to Nigeria.
Hydro-power
Biomass
Wind Energy
Solar Energy
Renewable Energy and the
Nigerian Economy
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Kevelaltis et al (2008) have observed that if
these sources are fully harnessed, it could
lead to potentially solving Nigeria energy
accessibility needs.
In line with global best practices, renewable
energy alternatives are quite attractive to
mitigating Nigeria’s own problem of energy
accessibility
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According to Aina (1998) World Health
Organization reports that a cook using
fuel wood the household can inhale an
amount of benzopyrene equivalent to
20 packets of cigarettes a day.
Consequently, the road map to energy
sustainability and accessibility in Nigeria
is renewable energy.
Policies to Harness Energy
Related Issues
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Nigeria is a signatory to the Kyoto
protocol and rectified other conventions
relating to energy issues globally.
As is captured in the last phase of US
President Obama in his presidential
campaign, renewable energy and
energy efficiency is important.
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As is captured in the last phase of US President
Obama in his presidential campaign, renewable
energy and energy efficiency is important.
Paradoxically, U.S withdrew from Kyoto protocol
almost immediately President Bush declared his
administration would not require industry to reduce
carbon dioxide emission.
According to Nnamocha and Echeta (2010) America
refused endorsing the protocol because she is the
highest gas emitter globally.
. In the words of Correa do
Lago
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“if rich countries which have the
financial means, have technology, have
stable population, already have a large
middle class, think they cannot reduce
(emissions) and work to fight climate
change, how can they ever think that
developing countries can do it? That is
why the Kyoto protocol has to be kept
alive”
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However, in 2012 the U.N climate change
conference in Doha, Qatar was targeted at
deciding the future of the Kyoto protocol.
According to Gwynne (2012) the UN
framework convention on climate change
aims to promote emissions reduction that will
hold global temperature increase to below 2
degrees Celsius higher than pre industrial
levels.
. Interventions for
Sustainable Renewable
Energy in Nigeria
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Targeting Electricity Generation
Only 40 percent of Nigerians have access to
electricity (EIA, 2007).
Rehabilitate – Operate – and Transfer
(ROT)
ROT was targeted at Afam and Sapele power
stations as according to Mordi, Englama and
Adebusuyi (2010) the two stations were
NEPA’s most run down power stations and
would require millions of dollars from
government finances for rehabilitation.
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Independent Power Plants (IPP)
The federal government of Nigeria also
initiated a programme directing all oil joint
venture to assist in the development of power
sector in Nigeria by investing in IPPs.
Establishing Quantity and Price
To large extent energy efficiency programmes
could be achieve through the fixing of
quantity and price of energy by government.
Conclusion
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This paper is aimed at x-raying renewable
energy policy in Nigeria, policy choice for
energy consumption.
The emphasis here is that no economy can
grow without harnessing adequately its
energy potentials .
Thus, the move to cleaner energy is
encouraged towards coping with international
best practices.
Recommendation
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Nigerian government should begin implementing
energy policy that will attract both local and
international collaborators and actors.
Issues of energy accessibility should not be taken for
granted.
With reference to Kyoto protocol and Doha
convention, Nigerian government should continue to
support international agreements that would
discourage gas emissions.
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Power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN) should be
made to face litigations.
The moral hazards associated with their operations
should be checked.
For satability of renewable policy choice increase in
research and development is required.
Attention must shift from non-renewable energy
sources to renewable energy.
Energy efficiency and conservation campaign should
be enhanced.
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Governments at all levels should ensure that
our local environment is protected.
Fuel wood though renewable has some
implication on the environment, hence the
need for government to implement policies
that will advance solar energy investment.
Ultimately, there is need for increased
funding in the energy sector. Governments at
all levels should equally be sincere in this
regard.
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THANK YOU