Nigeria Can Solve Power Sector Crisis With Renewable Energy – Minister

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has revealed that Nigeria’s energy crisis can be solved by green hydrogen.

Salako who was speaking at the International Hydrogen Summit held at the 12th convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado-ekiti (ABUAD) recently, stated that with 45 percent of Nigeria’s population lacking access to the national electricity grid and over 50 percent of households struggling with energy poverty, green hydrogen is the answer.

According to him, innovative energy sources produced using renewable energy from abundant solar and wind resources, offer a significant opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its energy supply and lead the global decarbonization effort.

“Green hydrogen is produced through the process of electrolysis powered by renewable energy, making it a clean, carbon-neutral fuel. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, green hydrogen emits no greenhouse gases, making it a cornerstone of our strategy to combat climate change and improve air quality.

“Nigeria has vast renewable energy possibilities, particularly in solar power, with an average of 11 hours of sunlight daily. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the concentrated solar power potential for Nigeria is approximately 88.7GW, 3.2 GW for wind, 24GW for large hydro and 3.5GW for small hydro. This gives us the capacity to produce green hydrogen on a large scale, both for domestic use and export,” he said.

The minister disclosed that Nigeria is a member of the Green Hydrogen Alliance,a coalition of countries committed to developing green hydrogen technologies and accelerating their adoption globally.

He added that the membership provides Nigeria with access to cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and investment opportunities, enabling the government to collaborate on global best practices.

“As a member of this alliance, Nigeria is focused on fostering partnerships that drive innovation in green hydrogen production, infrastructure development, and the creation of hydrogen valleys across the nation.

“In collaboration with international partners like the German government, the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office has conducted several pivotal studies.

“These studies assess the potential for green hydrogen production in Nigeria and explore its application in key sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation. They also highlight the importance of establishing hydrogen valleys; regions where hydrogen technologies are clustered to create a thriving green hydrogen economy, paving the Way for a Sustainable Energy Future: Nigeria’s Roadmap to a Hydrogen Economy,” he said.

He further disclosed that Nigeria’s participation in projects like International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Program (H2Uppp), supported by the German government, has helped it identify strategic locations for green hydrogen production and assess the technology readiness, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility of hydrogen projects across the country.

“The environmental benefits of green hydrogen cannot be overstated. As a clean energy source, it has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s carbon emissions significantly, especially in sectors like power generation, transportation, and manufacturing. Moreover, by decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels, we also reduce harmful pollutants, thereby improving public health and environmental quality.

“This green hydrogen initiative is aligned with our broader climate goals, particularly Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to voluntarily cut emissions by 20 percent by 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario. The development of green hydrogen will serve as a critical tool in achieving our long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2060,” he explained.