Energy Efficiency: ECN, JICA Demand Tougher Policies

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has called for stricter implementation of energy efficiency policies and standards to cut energy costs and boost productivity nationwide.

Director-General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a two-day national workshop on energy efficiency and conservation, organised by the commission in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The workshop, with the theme, “Accelerating Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Nigeria: From Policy to Implementation, Regulation and Measurable Impact,” focused on moving energy efficiency policies from paper to measurable results.

Abdullahi said energy efficiency and conservation should be treated as an additional source of energy because they require no new generation capacity, but involve making better use of available energy.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olufunso Adeyemi, said the ministry remained committed to working with ECN and other stakeholders to promote policies supporting sustainable energy.

Adeyemi, represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr David Franklin, said energy efficiency was not simply about consuming less energy, but using it more intelligently to derive greater economic and social value.

He said: “Energy efficiency is critical to Nigeria’s economic development, environmental sustainability and national energy security.”

Also, Chief Representative, JICA Nigeria Office, Mr Ishigame Keiji, said Nigeria must improve its energy efficiency technologies in response to population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and rising electricity demand.

Keiji said Nigeria could draw lessons from Japan, where energy management systems, efficient technologies, standards and regulatory frameworks had helped improve energy productivity.