Fossil-Based Economy: NNPC To Invest In Renewable Energy
With a view to enhancing food security in the country, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation is to champion the diversification of the nation’s fossil-based economy to renewable energy, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The Group General Manager of the Corporation’s Renewable Energy Division Rabiu Suleiman made this known at the first public lecture, organised by the University of Ilorin Renewable Energy Centre.
Suleiman said that the move would help Nigeria to achieve its target of becoming one of the top 20 largest economies in the world.
Renewable energy widely acceptable
The general manager explained that renewable energy sources are becoming widely acceptable due to their insignificant green house gases (GHGs) emissions and carbon neutrality associated with their use.
According to him, the corporation had acquired 20,000 hectares of land in Benue State. The acquisition is aimed at establishing a $400 million dollar project for the cultivation of sugarcane and other agro-products to generate ethanol, as a renewable energy source.
“The main objective is to pioneer the diversification of the Nigerian fossil-based economy,” he said.
Suleiman said that the NNPC Towers in Abuja would soon be cut off from the national grid, as the building would soon run on an alternative source of power.
“This is a demonstration of our commitment that we intend to go green and we intend to partner with the nation in providing alternative sources of energy,” he said.
