Nigeria’s energy performance below int’l standards, minister laments

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Adeleke Mamora, yesterday, raised concerns over Nigeria’s Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), saying it is below internationally acceptable Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).

He spoke at a one-day National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Energy Efficient and Climate Friendly Cooling, organised by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in Abuja.

Mamora, however, explained that the country, through its national energy policy, has joined the rest of the world in recognising efficiency as one of the most cost-effective means of providing energy security, increasing economic productivity and reducing air pollution to enhance mitigation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission.

According to the minister, it is estimated that by 2030, there will be an unconditional greenhouse gas emission reduction by 20 per cent and a conditional reduction target of 47 per cent below the Business As Usual (BAU).

“To achieve unconditional target of 2.5 per cent reduction in energy intensity of climate change mitigating priority measures, the energy efficiency best practices across various sectors should be meticulously implemented,” he said.

Mamora said Nigeria, with its growing population, and improving lifestyle, urbanisation and rising global warming, will continue to experience rising demand for air conditioners (ACs), refrigerators and other cooling devices, thereby becoming one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

In his remarks, Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Eli Jidere, noted that the workshop was to accelerate transition to climate-friendly refrigerants and energy-efficient ACs in the country.