By Etuka Sunday
Electricity stakeholders yesterday put their grey hairs together to brainstorm on the draft National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) for the sector.
The overall thrust of the policy was for optimal utilization of the nation’s energy resources for sustainable development.
The policy would address diverse issues such as renewable energy supply and utilization; renewable energy pricing and financing; legislation, regulation and standards; energynefficiency and conservation, renewable energy project implementation issues, research and development; capacity building and training; gender and environmental issues; planning and policy implantation.
Speaking in a presentation at the workshop, the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services Department (EIS), Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. A. Adebisi said the problem was not that of inability to invest
in the power sector but how an investor would recoup his money after investment, hence the need for the policy.
Engr. Adebisi said the policy would set out a framework for action to address Nigerians challenge of inclusive access to modern and clean energy resources, improved energy security and address climate issues among others.
He said it would put in place a coordinated approach in renewable energy and energy efficiency resources development and create the right environment for investment.
According to him, the focus of the policy would be on hydropower, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, fuelcell, wave and tidal power plants and co-generation plants for energy production, as well as
treating energy efficiency as an additional source of energy, adding that the policy consist of Six (6) Chapters.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Presidential Committee on North-East Renewable Energy, Prof. Soji Adelaja said the policy was important and urged Nigerians to strive to change their lifestyles especially with regards to energy usage in the country.
Adelaja said with wind and solar potentials in the country, Nigeria has deeper resource in terms of renewable energy compare to other countries of the world.
