The Federal Government of Nigeria has said it planned to build a 2.5 megawatts (MW) hybrid solar power plant in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
A statement issued in Abuja by Iyali Peter, Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister of State Power, Abubakar Aliyu, was quoted as saying this at the 40th National Solar Energy Forum (NACEF 2022) held in the state.
The two-day forum was organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN), in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and National Energy Commission (NEC).
Aliyu, represented by the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, said the building of the solar power plant will enhance security at the Academy
He said the theme of the forum: “The Role of Green Energy Technologies in National Security, Power Generation, and Economic Sustainability,” was timely and necessary.
He said reliable and sustainable energy is key in the fight against insecurity, adding that such meetings with extensive and robust discussions will bring out desirable outcomes that can move solar energy penetration in the country forward.
He said: “Countries all over the world are exploring avenues of fulfilling their specific commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and COP26 Agreement in Glasgow. Nigeria is not left out.
“To achieve Nigeria’s commitment to COP26, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is implementing different initiatives targeted at achieving at least 30,000MW generation by 2030 with 30 per cent from renewable energy sources.
“The Buhari administration is fully committed to the global decarbonization drive. To demonstrate this commitment, the government has opened discussions with some Independent Power Plant (IPP) solar project developers planning to deploy solar mini-grids across the country.”
Aliyu disclosed that 10 state governments are facilitating solar projects in their states that would deliver 100MW each, contributing 1,000MW to the off-grid structure.
On her part, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, said the outcome and suggestions reached at the forum will further enhance the government’s efforts to rid Nigeria of insurgency.
Earlier, Commandant of NDA, Maj. Gen. Manu Yusuf, in his address said the theme of the forum was to address the contemporary security challenges facing the country.
Yusuf said: “there is still much to do to achieve improved access to green energy sources.
“As an institution, we have devoted a lot of resources to improve knowledge on the issue and track global development on renewable energy sources because energy is a critical component of national security.”
Managing Director of REA, Salihijo Ahmad, while delivering the keynote address said in the last few years, there has been significant improvement in the nation’s renewable energy space because of different initiatives of the government.
Ahmad said the government is deliberately driving policies that are targeted at drawing in private sector participation by encouraging investments and scaling up socio-economic impact of off-grid electrification nationwide.
He assured NASEF of REA’s continued support and collaboration, and urged the participants to see themselves as active stakeholders within the renewable energy space.
“It is important to keep up with this momentum by playing our part in different spheres because on this journey towards ending energy poverty in Nigeria, strategies and roadmaps cannot be designed in silos.
“But must be implemented as fit-for-purpose and deliberate endeavours to solve the nation’s energy problems,” he said.