By John Ikani
The Executive Secretary of The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote says Africa’s top oil producer is not against the transition to renewable energy.
Engr. Wabote made the assertion on Wednesday when he appeared on Arise News’ Global Business Report to talk about Nigeria’s local content development among other issues of concern.
The NCDMB boss who noted the “transition to renewable energy is the right thing to do,” stressed that the nation “must adopt a long term approach in transiting from her God-given natural resources to renewable energy.”
According to him: “Nigeria made the mistake of sudden transition when coal was the mainstay of energy provision. Hydrocarbon was discovered and we suddenly abandoned the entire coal resources we had in the country.
“Now we are trying to discover our natural resources; 38 billion barrel of proven oil preserve; 206tcf of proven gas; 600tcf of unproven gas and all of a sudden someone says it is dirty. Don’t forget if we transit to renewable energy, the component associated with it are alien, not natural.
“Can you believe that Nigeria is still struggling with energy issues for 50 years with resources that are natural? How can we do it with renewable components alien and expensive? Therefore, the process must be gradual.
“We should be deliberate about transition not forced to do it. One can argue that there is sun, but the amount of megawatts required to generate power with the sun is substantial in terms of solar infrastructure that have been installed across the country”.
The ES went on to speak about the utilization of gas as a cleaner alternative to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Diesel, noting that proponents of renewables are thinking of bringing gas to the table as green energy.
“Gas used to be regarded as fossil fuel that should be placed at the back seat but processes are ongoing to add it to the list of green energy, in the same class where solar and nuclear energy belongs.
“Summarily, Nigeria’s position is clear, yes we like renewables, but we must carry out transition at our own pace,” he harped.
