Nigeria to Develop 13,000GW Of Off-Grid Solar Power, says Amina Mohammed

The Minister of Environment, Hajiya Amina Mohammed has said that on account of the government’s enormous commitment to provide alternative sustainable power  in the country particularly within the reach of the poorest communities, it is working towards developing about 13,000megawatts  of off-grid solar power, and thereby generate about $7, 5 billion (about N15 trillion) from of grid solar energy.

Mohammed, speaking at the just held Conference of Parties on Climate Change, otherwise known as COP 21, in Paris, France, said: “In particular, we plan to develop around 13,000 gigawatt of off-grid solar power, delivering energy access to the poorest communities in a cheaper and healthier manner with less emission.

We also plan to create a more efficient, lower carbon oil and gas sector. By ending gas flaring and using the gas for commercial purposes, including power generation, we could generate as much as $7.5bn worth of benefits. Nigeria’s ambitious INDCs aim at reducing emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2030 with support from the international community. This will support the restructuring of the economy in a way that will facilitate inclusive growth with vast opportunities to diversify the energy mix, with emphasis on renewable energy and efficient gas power,” she added.

Similarly, the Coordinator of Nigerian-German Energy partnership, Dr. Jeremy Gaines, has appraised the Federal Government’s plans for projecting towards electricity through solar energy over the next decades as well as the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, INDCs, which have been set for Nigeria.

Gaines also stated that promoting renewable energy as a primary sustainable development strategy for socio-economic development was a desideratum for the global environment, while at the same time creates economic advantage.