The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), where this UNIDO project will be hosted is responsible by its constitution for coordinating energy policies and has put in place a national energy policy, which is recently approved by the Government. The policy, among other things, suggests interventions to address the various issues associated with disseminating and promoting renewable energy technologies. ECN has established four Energy Research Centres and two of them focus on renewable energy issues and development. These are the Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC) and the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, Nsukka (NCERD). The Centres along with various Universities, Polytechnics and Research Institutes, are used in the training and skills acquisition related to renewable energy. However, training of specialists and technical personnel on renewable energy sources such as small hydro is for now, carried out on a low key through national seminars, workshops and conferences, with the help of IN-SHP, China. Energy Commission in collaboration with UNIDO and other relevant government agencies and ministries, organised a National Stakeholders' Forum on Renewable Energy Technologies (specifically for SHP) for rural industrialization in November 2002. The forum's focus was to formulate strategies to provide access to clean and reliable energy services to the rural populace for promoting rural industrialization, which in turn will lead to employment generation and rural development. In order to promote the development of SHP in Nigeria, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed during this forum, between ECN and UNIDO IC-SHP/IN-SHP, Hangzhou, China, for further cooperation in tapping the currently estimated potential of 734 MW of SHP through technical assistance, training and establishment of demonstration (Pilot) projects. Thus, the framework for training of Trainers in SHP was put in place in 2003 in conjunction with IN-SHP and UNIDO. Similarly, the World Solar Programme, 1996 – 2005 by UNESCO has twelve priority projects for Nigeria (UNESCO/WSP/NIR/97/001 to 012), of which Small Hydro Power is one. This project seeks to ensure the market penetration of RET in the country through information, education, training, capacity building, rural electrification and initiatives for small hydropower development schemes. These interventions of the ECN are in line with its primary functions of research, training, establishing demonstration/pilot project, awareness creation and consultancy through the Energy Research Centres, with links to reputed energy research institutions abroad, as well as multilateral organizations. This proposal conforms to and falls within the country service framework of UNIDO for Nigeria. Under component 3 of the framework, it is aimed at promoting cleaner and environmentally friendly technologies, policies and the programmes envisaged in 4.1. There are 5 programmes identified, and the objectives of this project proposal falls under the head: Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies in rural areas. Small Hydro and rural electrification grids are enlisted as key sectors under the CSF. ECN is carrying out activities in the area of small hydropower, such as the Training of Trainers in the River Basin Development Authorities, survey of potential sites, preparation of feasibility reports and detailed project reports, advice, guidance and assistance to Local Government Councils, Communities, State Governments and private individuals for taking up SHP projects. In the area of energy conservation and environment protection, activities such as energy audits, retrofitting, efficient technologies for energy efficiency in buildings, industries and some rural industries, are also taken up.

Achievements of ECN

The Energy Commission has achieved the following on SHP in the past four years.

1. Acquired membership in the International Network on SHP and Nigeria is an elected member of its Apex Co-ordination Committee (CC of IN-SHP).

2. Organized training programs on technologies, policies and financing of SHP jointly with IN-SHP, Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) and UNIDO in 2003. Forty two engineers from various River Basin Authorities were trained.

3. Initiated a proposal for preparing a Master Plan for time bound full utilization of SHP resources in Nigeria, through survey and collection of existing data and prioritizing the sites based on various aspects helpful for early implementation, for funding by ADB.

4. Covered lot of grounds for a Co-operation project for implementation of 2 pilot stations and 2 refurbishment SHP projects in Nigeria, with UNIDO, IN-SHP and the related River Basins Authorities.

5. Sensitized the organized private sector for initiating work on establishing a joint venture SHP equipment manufacturing facility with research institutions in the country Recognizing the pioneering contributions by ECN in the area of SHP development (and thereby assisting in sustainable development), The Federal government has made the ECN as the co-coordinating agency for the execution of small hydro schemes which are being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel with the technical collaboration of UNIDO, International Network on SHP and the Chinese Government. ECN has also developed 12 SHP feasibility reports for project development. Further consultancy services are offered to various State Governments on SHP. Also ECN is functioning as the Technical Secretariat for Project Clearance for speedy approval of SHP projects proposed by the local governments.