Nigeria, others must instal 1,000 gigawatts renewable energy yearly before 2030, says report

Nigeria and other countries of the world must generate, at least, 1,000 gigawatts (10,000,000 megawatts) of electricity yearly, through 2030, to avert climate crisis.

While the global community is aiming to keep climate at 1.5°C, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in its World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) 2023, released yesterday, said there is need to raise global ambition in renewables, enabled by physical infrastructure, policy, and regulations, and underline institutional and workforce capabilities.

Nigeria depends largely on fossil fuel for its energy needs amid a serious energy crisis, which hampers industrial development and standards of living. The country recently announced it would need $410 billion to deliver its energy transition plan and reach net zero by 2060. This is 30 years behind global ambition.

IRENA’s report, released in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate, months ahead of Conference of Parties (COP28), said electrification and efficiency remain key transition drivers, enabled by renewable energy, clean hydrogen and sustainable biomass.

The report noted that progress has been made mainly in the power sector, with record additions in global renewable capacity of 300 gigawatts in 2022.

“However, the gap between what has been achieved and what is required continues to grow,” IRENA said, while calling for significant increase in direct use of renewables in end-use sectors.