Baru challenges energy group on efficiency

The Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, has urged the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE) to encourage enforcement of energy efficiency in the country.

Baru gave the charge at the 12th Annual International Conference of the association, in Abuja, on Monday.
The theme of the conference is “Energy Efficiency and Access Imperatives for Sustainable Development in emerging economies”.

“My charge to NAEE, however, in respect of encouraging energy efficiency in the country are in threefold and strategic.
“Collaborate with associations of like minds and the various tiers of government to effect policy development for energy efficiency in the Country.

“Provide sustained enlightenment on the desirability of Nigerians to embrace energy efficiency, individually as well as in their workplace.

“Offer necessary trainings to champions of this cause,”he said.

Represented by Chief Operating Officer NNPC Ventures, Mr Victor Adeniran, he said that as a nation, corporate body or individual, there was the need to, at certain times, drop our old appliances and procure newer, energy efficient ones.

He added that there was need to also install smart metres that offered opportunity to appropriately monitor a building’s energy use for necessary assessment.

He also called for support of construction of intelligent buildings that would incorporate renewable energy technologies.

“Design neighbourhoods in a manner that offer accessible options of “walking, biking and public transportation, among others,” he said.

Also, Mr James Momoh, Chairman Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said that African economy depended on availability of energy.

He urged the NAEE to bring new thinking that could break barriers to help achieve energy efficiency in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“We must find a way to track energy to change it from waste to wealth. We must help our younger ones to take energy efficiency issues to the next level,” he said.

Also, Prof. Wumi Iledare, NAEE President, said that energy efficiency was key component for energy sustainability.

He said that NAEE must ensure advanced knowledge across the energy value chain.

He added that the association must provide the basis for educating the public on economic decisions on energy issues.