By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Federal Government has cautioned African nations against being forced to conform to the usual routes of energy transition, insisting that the continent must define its own path and draw up workable plans for its energy transition agenda.
Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Gabriel Aduda, made this statement on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Africa Energy Delegation Forum, which took place in Houston, Texas.
He maintained that fossil fuels will still be relevant for many decades to come and that Africa can only commit to cleaner processes of extraction and production.
Aduda said that Africa must also be careful not to create a new problem, while trying to solve another. This, Aduda explained, is because in pursuing the renewable energy agenda, it would mean a hike in mining activities for aluminum, cobalt, lithium and nickel, among others.
In his own words, “we must ensure cleaner ways in mining for the minerals that would create the equipment for renewable energy, which include solar panels and wind turbines.”
According to him, energy companies operating on the African continent face a unique set of challenges in the wake of the ongoing transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
He added that these challenges include meeting the growing energy demand, reducing the carbon footprint of their operations and adapting to the effects of climate change.
“To address these challenges, energy companies are developing resilience and sustainability policies that aim to ensure the long-term viability of their operations. While minimizing their impact on the environment these policies typically focuses on several key areas,” he said.
Aduda further stated that energy companies are increasingly investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydro power, which help to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower the carbon footprint.
He also said that many companies were also exploring new technologies, such as energy storage and smart grids in order to optimize the use of renewable energy.