Netherlands Launches Board to Boost Sustainable Energy in Nigeria

The Dutch government has taken a proactive step by establishing an advisory board dedicated to expediting Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner energy sources. This initiative primarily focuses on propelling sustainable solutions within the solar energy sector. The inauguration ceremony for this advisory board took place recently at the Arnergy office in Ilupeju, Lagos.
In alignment with its commitment to promoting renewable energy adoption and fostering sustainable trade and development in Nigeria, the Dutch Government has introduced the Solar Marketplace initiative. This endeavour underscores the importance of collaboration and strategic efforts in advancing the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources in Nigeria.
The announcement highlighted the pivotal role that the advisory board would play in steering the strategic direction and overseeing the implementation of the Solar Marketplace initiative. This emphasizes the board’s significance in shaping and executing plans aimed at advancing the adoption of solar energy solutions in Nigeria.
The Consulate of the Netherlands has announced the official inauguration of the Solar Marketplace Advisory Board, which is expected to act as a trusted platform connecting and facilitating business, trade, and investment in the Nigerian solar sector. This move is considered a pivotal step forward in the Consulate’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.
Geoffrey van Leeuwen, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, expressed during the inauguration, “This inauguration of the Solar Marketplace Advisory Board marks a significant moment in our shared journey towards scaling renewable energy opportunities in Nigeria.” His statement underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing renewable energy initiatives and signifies a milestone in the collective endeavour to promote sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.
A group of experts from the renewable energy sector in Nigeria have come together to promote the adoption of solar technologies, encouraging innovation, and making a significant impact on Nigeria’s energy landscape. The advisory board, which includes Yusuf Umar, the Programme Lead of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority renewable energy platform, and Femi Adeyemo, the founder of Arnergy, is concerned about the fragmentation in Nigeria’s energy sector. Femi Adeyemo emphasized the urgency for Nigerian businesses to transition away from diesel, citing the various challenges associated with other energy sources.
Adeyemo emphasized the urgency of promoting investments in renewable energy to ensure sustainable operations, highlighting the critical role of such investments in driving the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
The members of the solar marketplace advisory board include Edwin van Veenhuizeen from Invest International, Farouk Bello, who serves as a manager at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, and Ayo Ademilua, the president of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria. Other members consist of Emeka Oragunye, affiliated with Sustainable Energy for All, Michael Ivenso representing the National Council on Climate Change, and Olabanjo Alimi from Sterling Bank. Their diverse expertise and backgrounds reflect a comprehensive approach towards advancing renewable energy initiatives and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.

Source: Independent