NESP, Others Partner to Promote Energy Efficiency

• NESP, Others Partner to Promote Energy Efficiency

The Nigerian Energy Support Programme, in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, has commenced the implementation of a pilot Energy Efficiency Network for industrial enterprises in the country.

The pilot EEN is targeted at industrial enterprises in Lagos State and comprises six companies from different sectors.

According to a statement, the network, which is a learning platform for company representatives to exchange ideas on energy efficiency-related issues, was aimed at enabling companies to increase awareness of energy efficient technologies and best practices, reduce energy costs and prioritise energy efficiency in their organisations.

The participating companies, which comprise the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Conservaria Africana Limited, Cormart Nigeria Limited and Bel Papyrus Limited, received technical support to improve energy management within their companies, based on an international standard for energy management, ISO 50001.

Speaking in Lagos at the opening of the three-day workshop, the Head of Energy Efficiency, NESP, Dr. Charles Diarra, said, “The Nigeria industrial sector can potentially save up to 30 to 35 per cent of energy through the implementation of energy efficiency measures.”

The Deputy Director, Renewable and Rural Power Access Department, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Faruk Yabo, highlighted the significance of energy efficiency practices and initiatives such as the EEN.

He said, “The Federal Government, having ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, is committed to meeting its emission reduction targets as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.”

According to NESP, the EEN will be a useful promotional tool for energy efficiency best practices, drawing from its success in other countries.

NESP is a 24.5 million euro technical assistance programme, launched to promote investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification. It is co-founded by the European Union and the German government and is jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit.