Achieving 100% Renewable Energy: Nigeria’s Pathway to 2060

Wärtsilä’s new report offers a roadmap for Nigeria to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2060. The plan entails building significant renewable energy capacity alongside energy storage and balancing systems. It estimates costs of $18.7 billion by 2030 and $425 billion by 2060, highlighting the importance of policy reforms to attract investments while aiming for universal electricity access by 2032.

Wärtsilä, a global technology group, has published a report titled “Nigeria Leading Africa to Net Zero,” outlining a realistic roadmap for Nigeria to achieve a fully renewable energy power system by 2060. This initiative is crucial as Nigeria aspires to lead in climate action while catering to the increasing energy demands and ensuring universal electricity access for its populace. The report emphasizes the necessity of a data-driven and economically viable energy strategy, utilizing advanced modeling techniques to propose the most efficient power system for Nigeria to reach net zero by 2060.

The report identifies that an optimal energy system for Nigeria would consist of 1,200 GW of renewable energy capacity, supplemented with 283 GW of energy storage and 34 GW of engine-based power plants for grid stability. This strategy, involving investments in renewable energy and flexibility provided by gas engines and storage solutions, promises to lower electricity generation costs by 74% by 2060, compared to 2022 levels, while also achieving zero carbon emissions.

Significantly, the study highlights the critical role of Nigeria’s domestic gas reserves as a viable transitional fuel, enabling the operation of gas engine power plants alongside intermittent renewable sources until a shift to green hydrogen is feasible by the 2040s. Wale Yusuff, Managing Director of Wärtsilä in Nigeria, remarked, “If the power system expansion roadmap presented to the report is successfully implemented, by 2060 Nigeria’s power system will be fully decarbonized.” Furthermore, it is anticipated that Nigeria could achieve universal electricity access by 2032, eliminating reliance on outdated and polluting diesel generators.

However, the realization of this ambitious plan necessitates substantial investments, projected at $18.7 billion by 2030 and $425 billion by 2060. Mr. Yusuff expressed that attracting such investment will require significant policy reforms: “Despite the many government efforts to implement an increasingly strong legal framework… excessive investment risk remains.” With its substantial gas reserves and considerable renewable energy potential, Nigeria possesses the necessary resources for a successful energy transition, contingent upon enhancements in power transmission infrastructure, an effective policy framework, and a strategic, data-informed energy expansion plan.

The Wärtsilä report outlines a comprehensive and feasible roadmap for Nigeria to achieve a 100% renewable energy power system by 2060, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to renewable sources while maintaining grid stability through domestic gas reserves. With substantial investments and necessary policy reforms, Nigeria can secure universal electricity access and contribute significantly to global climate action. The journey toward this sustainable energy future necessitates commitment and strategic planning, but the potential rewards are substantial.

Original Source: www.itnewsafrica.com