The Netherlands in Nigeria - Renewable energy - Nigeria
The Netherlands in Nigeria - Renewable energy
We need rapid energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy to reduce CO2 emissions in the fight against climate change. Using solar energy to produce electricity is vital to facilitating this transition. Solar energy is becoming the cheapest form of electricity (IEA, 2020). To increase the use of solar, the world needs to develop products and systems, quality control mechanisms, grid integration, and electricity storage. This will help spread the benefits of solar electricity, increasing energy security and creating jobs (IRENA, 2022).
Nigeria's off-grid sector offers a substantial market opportunity, with an estimated worth of $10 billion annually. This opportunity is divided between mini grids, with a market potential of $8 billion, and solar home systems, with a market potential of $2 billion. The potential investment in the clean cooking opportunity in Nigeria is estimated at $1.41 billion.
In 2021, worldwide employment in renewable energy was 12.7 million. In Nigeria, 50.000 people were employed by decentralized renewable energy solutions, of which 37% women. In comparison, 65.000 people are employed by the oil & gas sector in Nigeria (IRENA, 2022).
The Nigerian government has developed the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy with the accompanying Vision 30:30:30 which aims at achieving 30,000MW of electricity by the year 2030 with renewable energy contributing 30 per cent of the energy mix. As of 2022, the solar energy capacity in Nigeria amounted to around 37 megawatts. A significant increase of 12 per cent compared to the year prior. The Renewable Energy Outlook for Nigeria shows more investment in renewables is cheaper than the planned conventional pathway, regardless of the economic growth rate achieved (IRENA, 2023).
The Netherlands is one of the fastest-growing markets for solar in Europe, with a diverse market of small rooftop systems and larger ground-bound systems. In 2022, energy production from solar panels rose by 46 per cent on the previous year and the Netherlands became the country with the most solar installations per capita in Europe (CBS, 2022).
Our vision:
To advance the adoption of renewable energy in Nigeria through collaborations, business and partnerships.
Our involvement:
The Netherlands actively promotes renewable energy in Nigeria by encouraging Dutch companies to invest in and collaborate with Nigerian stakeholders. Through market research and insights, we help Dutch companies understand the Nigerian renewable energy sector. Additionally, we provide technical assistance and capacity building to support Nigerian institutions and entrepreneurs in renewable energy technologies through our Solar Marketplace. Our public-private partnerships accelerate the deployment of sustainable projects, while policy support and advocacy work to create a conducive regulatory environment. Finally, we showcase Nigerian and Dutch expertise through seminars, workshops, and trade missions to promote knowledge exchange and technology transfer in the renewable energy sector.
Supporting the Private Sector as the Driving Force
We build a marketplace focusing on B2B matchmaking, unlocking business opportunities, and building clusters of business partnerships within the solar industry. We facilitate connections between businesses and key enablers, such as financial institutions for investments and technical training programs for skilled workers. The marketplace will actively promote and support demonstration projects, pilots, and roadshows to foster potential business deals and drive action in the solar sector.
Contact
Questions via e-mail