Nigeria’s Path to 100% Renewable Energy by 2060: A Comprehensive Roadmap
Wärtsilä’s report outlines a plan for Nigeria to transition to a 100% renewable energy system by 2060. Key components include 1,200 GW of renewable capacity, significant investment needs, and the role of domestic gas as a transitional fuel. Successful implementation could offer universal electricity access by 2032 while lowering generation costs and carbon emissions significantly.
Wärtsilä, a global technology group, has published a report titled “Nigeria Leading Africa to Net Zero,” which presents a comprehensive plan for Nigeria to achieve a 100% renewable energy system by 2060. This initiative aims to align Nigeria’s energy strategy with climate action while addressing the country’s increasing energy demands and ensuring universal electricity access.
The report suggests that Nigeria’s optimal power system should comprise 1,200 GW of renewable energy capacity, supplemented by 283 GW of energy storage and 34 GW of engine-based power plants. Such a system is projected to reduce electricity generation costs by 74% by 2060, facilitating lower carbon emissions.
Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of Nigeria’s abundant domestic gas reserves as a transitional fuel for supporting renewable energy until gas-powered plants can convert to run on green hydrogen by the early 2040s. Wale Yusuff, Managing Director of Wärtsilä in Nigeria, articulated that effective implementation of this roadmap could result in a fully decarbonized power system by 2060, providing universal access to electricity as early as 2032.
However, achieving this ambitious plan poses significant financial challenges, with investment needs projected at $18.7 billion by 2030 and $425 billion by 2060. Yusuff has indicated that attracting such investment will necessitate substantial policy reforms to reduce the inherent risks involved in navigating Nigeria’s complex regulatory environment.
With Nigeria’s vast natural resources, including substantial gas reserves and potential for renewable energy, the country is well-positioned for an energy transition. Enhancing transmission infrastructure, establishing a robust policy framework, and implementing a data-driven power expansion plan will be crucial in realizing affordable, reliable, and fully decarbonized electricity access.
In conclusion, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where ambitious efforts to transition to a 100% renewable energy system by 2060 could profoundly impact its energy landscape. By leveraging its natural resources and addressing financial and policy challenges, Nigeria can secure universal access to clean electricity while leading the continent in climate action. The roadmap laid out by Wärtsilä serves as a pivotal guide to achieve this vision.
Original Source: www.itnewsafrica.com
