With Global warming posing greatest threat to our life, renewable energy seems to be an essential solution. Solar and wind power have tremendous potential to generate electricity. Being non pollutant and abundant in supply, they can perhaps be the panaceas for global warming and a permanent alternate energy source for the future generations. A number of developed countries have already taken important steps to become part of the solution. We can build a modern, 21st century energy infrastructure using decentralized sources of power such as the sun and wind.In developing nations including India and Nigeria, majority of the population is still living in rural areas. Renewable energy is especially important for villages without connections to electric grid. As a result, solar and wind power have the potential of making electricity cheaper with much less pollution than fossil fuels

SOLAR POWER

The sun is the oldest and largest source of power. There are two routes to tap solar energy-one is the solar water heating and the other is photovoltaic. In case of Solar Water Heating, energy from the Sun is used to heat water in glass panels installed on the roof. The other is the Solar Cells or Photovoltaic cells which help to convert light directly into electricity. Solar water heaters offer great potential for savings (50%-85% annually). With a large chunk of population still living in rural areas, solar photovoltaic hopes to prove as a best alternate source of energy for both India and Nigeria.

We can reduce our energy consumption by using low energy lighting, motion detection lighting and use of insulation. New emerging technologies, like battery-operated vehicles, fuel cells, bio-fuel, geothermal and tidal energy have bright future for catering to the growing energy needs of a nation. Thus by effective utilisation of our alternative energy resources, we can contribute towards increasing the nation’s energy security.

WIND POWER

Wind Power is probably the fastest growing energy source in the world. It is non pollutant and available in abundance. Its intensity is not affected by either oil prices or any political uncertainty. It involves the conversion of wind energy into electricity using wind turbines. According to Worldwatch Senior Researcher Janet Sawin. “Already, the 43 million tons of carbon dioxide displaced by the new wind plants installed last year equaled more than 5 percent of the year’s growth in global emissions. If the wind market quadruples over the next nine years—a highly plausible scenario—wind power could be reducing global emissions growth by 20 percent in 2015.” Over the past few years, wind energy industry has shown great promise. In areas dependent on diesel-based power, wind diesel hybrid projects are being planned. Plug-in electric cars are another marvelous viable option to make use of renewable sources of energy. These electric cars can be run on renewable energy technologies including solar and wind power and help to make effective use of natural resources available in a country. These are some of the positive steps which are going to bring the desired results in the years to come. Governments of the developing nations must be committed to keep greenhouse gas emissions at minimum level and join hands towards environmentally sound sustainable development.

SOLAR AND WIND POWER IN INDIA

India is a country blessed with enormous renewable energy resources and has the world’s largest program for renewable energy. On the environmental scoreboard released by experts at Yale and Columbia universities in the United States, India was placed at 120th. India receives solar energy of 5000 trillion kilowatt-hour per year which is much more than the total energy consumed by the country. The amount of solar energy produced in India is only 0.5% compared to the other sources. India now ranks 7th place worldwide in solar PV cell production and 9th in solar thermal system. A large solar dish has been set up under a research project in Maharashtra to provide process heat for milk pasteurization. There are a number of upcoming projects to tap solar power for different purposes namely water heating, cooking, food processing. In 2004, Delhi government passed an order for compulsory use of solar power for lighting hoardings, street lighting and water heating in government buildings.
The installed capacity of wind power in India was 7,844 MW (2007). India started its development in 1990s. India ranks 4th largest installed wind power capacity in the world with Suzlon, a leading global wind turbine manufacturer having its headquarters in Pune. India looks forward to achieving 10,500 MW wind energy in both inland and coastal areas during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012). India’s potential for wind power has been assessed at 45000 MW assuming 3 per cent land availability. It hopes to become the biggest wind producer in Asia, as the Asian Development Bank is providing financial help of $80 M to develop a 100 MW energy plant in Maharashtra. The project is being developed by India’s Tata Power. A number of countries including Australia, Spain and Germany are showing their interest for making investments to explore the hidden vast potential of wind power energy in India with China and Tasmania taking the lead. There are about 200 projects for wind energy generation in the pipeline which will accelerate the wind power generation to a great extent. Epuron Energy of Germany has plans to set up a mega project (550MW) within the next 3 years. Currently, 7% of installed capacity in India is from wind power. In areas dependent on diesel-based power, wind diesel hybrid projects are being planned. Water pumping windmills are being encouraged. Over the past few years, wind energy industry has shown great promise due to the active participation of the private sector and financing policies of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). Indian Government is promoting wind power energy projects by extending fiscal incentives like excise duty consumption, concessional import duty, 10 year tax holidays on income generated from projects.

SOLAR AND WIND POWER IN NIGERIA

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity and it is the world’s most vulnerable populations who are most immediately at risk. Nigeria is no exception to the looming disaster of global warming. There is an urgent need to diversify its energy resources and take immediate steps to exploit alternate sources of energy namely solar and wind power which have a great potential to meet the country’s growing requirements and overcome the present crisis. As efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions accelerate around the globe, dozens of countries are working to add or strengthen laws that support the development of wind power and other forms of renewable energy. The Solar Electric Light Fund states that Africa receives an average of 365 days’ sunshine a year. Thus, solar panels are an excellent and more viable option. The solar panels are being increasingly used to drive pumps to extract water from deep wells and illuminate classrooms to enable the teachers to teach in the evening. The UNDP ozone depletion unit has been working in Nigeria for 15 years and has funded a couple of projects aimed at environmental protection.

The Nigerian government is taking initiative and developing some significant strategies to be adopted for providing a solution. As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Nigeria has created a Special Climate Fund to finance projects which relate to capacity building, adaptation, technology transfer, climate change mitigation and economic diversification. A Special Climate Change Unit has been created in the Ministry to implement the Convention and the protocol activities including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The National Environment Standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA) was set up in July 2007 to intensify its efforts towards environmental concerns.

It has entered into discussion with 25 German energy firms. The cooperation is part of government’s efforts to improve the nation’s economic situation. Some of the companies showing interest to develop Nigeria’s power sector include EON (one of the largest power companies in Europe), Julius Berger and Siemens. A GWYNEDD company, one stop shop for renewable energy solutions has stuck a deal worth £300,000 with WHO to supply solar fridges to Nigeria. These international companies have plans to explore the rich natural resources including solar and wind power in Nigeria. Both the countries have considerably improved their bilateral relations. As a result of this cooperation, the Commerz Bank, (second largest bank in Germany) has started operations in Lagos.

As part of its ongoing efforts, Nigerian government has announced its intention to invest $1.25 million in solar energy to supply up to 10 rural communities which lack access to the national power grid. It will benefit around 5000 people living in remote villages.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SOLAR & WIND POWER
Clean energy holds a promising future especially for the developing nations. It is instrumental in reshaping the global economic and environmental landscape. A clean-energy market grew by 40 per cent from $55 billion in 2006 to $77.3 billion in 2007 and is expected to reach $254.5 billion by 2017. Renewable energy hopes to bring enormous benefits to the developing world.. Solar power will be the clean, green key that can unlock the developing nations’ poverty trap. A project run with the UN Environment Programme is harnessing the solar and wind resources waiting to be tapped in developing countries. The Shell Foundation has initiated banks in southern India to extend loans for householders to enable them install solar panels on their roofs. This has resulted in creating a local market for suppliers of the panels and engineers to service them.The growth of renewable energy is an international phenomenon. We can gain a great deal from listening to the experiences of others. The potential of wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy to support self-sustaining economic development in rural areas is therefore an exciting story not just for a particular nation but for all the developing nations. Renewable energy has the ability to change the centers of power from urban cities to rural communities.

Benefits of using renewable energy are widespread which include new markets and higher returns for farmers; new jobs and economic opportunity in rural communities; clean power to the grid; and royalties to rural landowners from wind farms.

We can save incredible amount of money by switching to renewable energy. Once the initial investment has been recovered, profits are guaranteed. There are a number of financial incentives being offered by the government in different forms which further help to cut down the overall costs. Solar energy, thus, saves money and is equally good for the environment.

The energy savings and demand reductions help to lower customer electricity bills, reduce possible power blackouts, a clean environment and strong economy.

It also provides the added advantage of bringing stability in the regional electricity prices which further contribute towards economy. Energy efficiency and demand response are not only the least-cost resources for meeting a nation’s electricity needs; they are instrumental in creating new “green collar” jobs. The clean energy industry holds great future with multiple opportunities for those having right skills and knowledge to build a better and clean world. Over the next two decades, this transition will offer untold opportunities to the companies, individuals, and governments that exploit it.

ROLE OF UN IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The United Nations can play a crucial role by extending financial and technical support as well as sharing knowledge. The issues of technology and financing are vital for effectively addressing climate change. The UN should assist in the development of financial mechanisms for developing nations.
As renewable energy sources produce less pollution than the other sources of energy, substituting solar and wind power for power from fossil fuels is the ultimate solution to the crisis of global warming. Partnerships could play an all important role and UN should promote partnerships which would assist national efforts and contribute towards bringing the desired results and making the world a beautiful and clean place to breathe in. UNDP has stressed the developed countries to contribute 0.2 per cent of their annual GDP into climate change adaptation policies. They also have to cut their emissions by half by the year 2020. UN is advocating that the world must reduce its total percentage of GHG by 80 per cent by the year 2050.

Filed under: Nigeria, Power Generation, Project Finance, Solar and Wind Energy