The partnership between Nigeria and Germany on Energy received a boost as German in conjunction with other international finance cooperation and Nigeria Indigenous Company are geared towards the construction of a 125MW Solar Power in Kankia, Katsina State.
The German company, Nova Solar power in partnership with the katsina state government is to produce the 125MW solar Plant under the Public Private Partnership Agreement (PPP).
This was revealed at a forum of Nigeria,Germany energy partnership forum, in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary, Power, Engr. Louis Edozien who chaired the meeting in Abuja stated that the energy partnership between the two countries is yielding positive results and that it would assist Nigeria to tackle poverty and improve standard of life of our people through employment generation.
Engr. Edozien stated that the German Co-operation Agency, (GIZ), has promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification on one hand and sustainable development on the other as well as deepened economic development in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that Nigeria has demonstrated policy stability in the energy market.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government will continue to provide enabling environment for investors in the energy sector and that would ensure the provision of uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians.
On his part, Stephan Steinlein, State Secretary, Federal Foreign Office, Germany, stated that Nigeria and Germany have to learn from each other on how to decarbonize their economies in the most efficient and cost effective way.
Mr. Steinlein said Germany has decided to decarbonize their energy sources and has provided a stable investment frame work for renewable in their country.
He further stated that Nigeria is eager to increase its power production in an emerging economy of more than 180 million people and Germany is ready to support Nigeria tackled energy shortage, reduce carbon emission and embrace renewable energy models.
Mr. Steinlein stated that generation cost for all renewable sources are now at the same level as for fossil fuels without additional external risks such as air pollution and disposal, adding that “… let us not forget that renewable energy plants do not require any kind of logistics for fuel supply. It is therefore not surprising that the global capacity in renewables has more than doubled since the beginning of the millennium “.
Also speaking, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany, Uwe Back-Meyer, stated that with the support from Germany Development Agency, GIZ, Nigeria has developed a reliable framework for investment in renewable and energy efficiency and the member companies of the Nigerian German Energy partnership have equally contributed.
Mr. Uwe assured Nigeria that Germany will continue to engage bilaterally on further steps to remove all bottlenecks to investment and explore other ways to facilitate Nigeria’s transition to a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy and electricity supply.
Ibrahim Haruna
Assistant Director (Press)
