NNPC proposes broader collaboration on sustainable energy

Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited proposes broad stakeholder collaboration in driving energy sustainability for the country’s development in the face of prevailing energy transition from fossil fuels.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, also declared that Nigeria’s natural gas reserves has risen to about 209.5Trillion Cubic Feet with a potential upside of up to 600 TCF, adding that the huge resource base provides the country opportunity to drive cleaner and affordable energy vision.

He told delegates at the ongoing 46th Annual International Conference Exhibition (NAICE) by the Nigerian Council of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos that Nigeria’s changing energy landscape and global reality call for assemblage of variegated measures to achieve full domestic energy mix.

Indwelling on the conference theme of “Balancing Energy Accessibility, Affordability, and Sustainability: Strategic Options for Africa,” Malam Kyari he noted that all the key words allude to sustainability of abundant and affordable energy in compliance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No 7  on affordable and clean energy as well as SDG No 13 on climate actions.

He noted that meeting the national economic aspirations on sustainable energy supply would require a multi-stakeholder approach, involving the government, the private sector, civil society, host community and the public at large.

“I would like to encourage all industry stakeholders and this professional body (SPE) Nigeria Council to contribute to ensuring the provision of affordable, clean, and efficient energy options to our stakeholders comprising over 200 million Nigerians, under a just and equitable transition. This includes not only our efforts in harnessing the existing energy resources but also in innovative research, development, and adoption of new and emerging technologies in the energy sector.

“Our collective success will be defined by how we deliver affordable wide range of energy sources sustainably,” he challenged the industry.

He called on the industry to assist in ensuring all citizens have reliable, modern energy without financial strain irrespective of their location or socio-economic status. He noted that for supply to be sustainable, “our energy use does not harm the local environment or exhaust resources, affecting future generations.”

Overcoming the challenges of sustainably providing abundant and affordable energy, Mallam Kyari stressed, requires delicate balance across political will, technological innovation, effective market mechanisms, well-crafted policy interventions, and capacity building.

“On the policy front, we have also seen the emergence of the incorporation of our national oil company from NNPC to NNPC Limited.  The PIA also provides for NNPC Ltd. to engage in the renewable energy business; and the Nigerian Climate Act for mainstreaming climate change actions to achieve low emissions, inclusive green growth, and sustainable economic development,” he stated.

He made it clear that Nigeria is not transitioning away from the hydrocarbons; “however, we hope to see an increase in the footprint of alternative cleaner energy sources in the foreseeable future amid fossil fuel dominance.

“We use what we have to get to our desired destination. This is the reason that NNPC Limited has identified gas as a transition fuel and we are expanding our gas development and gas infrastructure across the country to increase energy accessibility.

“Today, Nigeria has about 209.5Trillion Cubic Feet of natural gas reserves with a potential upside of up to 600 TCF, and this is an enormous resource that would drive cleaner and affordable energy vision.

“Other alternative energy sources such as solar and wind are faced with technology limitations. They are still not affordable and cannot meet the high energy demands of our industries, cities and remote environments,” Mallam Kyari reasoned.

He declared plans by the NNPC Limited to sustain aggressive gas development and gas transportation projects to achieve affordable and clean energy towards finding a resolution to the continent’s energy crisis.

He said the proposed collaboration for sustainable energy supply also requires deepening the commitment of stakeholders; government security agencies, host communities and others to enhance security and integrity of industry assets.

“This will require provision of adequate and timely investments to build resilient energy systems capable of delivering energy to support socio-economic development in a sustainable manner,” he stated.