By Constance Athekame
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with funding from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), on Monday inaugurated a Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence in Nigeria project.
The project, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region, was inaugurated in Abuja to boost electricity.
Amb, Philbert Johnson, Director and UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS, UNIDO Regional Hub Nigeria said that the project was to be situated at the University of Abuja.
Johnson said that it would serve as a regional hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance in Small Hydropower (SHP) development.
“The project will also promote hybrid renewable energy solutions that combine SHP with solar and wind technologies to strengthen energy resilience, particularly in rural areas, ” he said.
According to him, Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources.
He listed the resources to include hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind.
He, however, said that despite the country’s substantial SHP potential, less than five per cent had been developed due to technical, financial, and policy barriers.
“The project has great potential towards increasing access to affordable electricity and addressing climate change.
“The centre will serve as a hub for SHP knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance, benefiting Nigeria and the broader West African region.
“Additionally, the centre will support the integration of hybrid renewable energy solutions, combining SHP with solar and wind technologies to enhance energy resilience and sustainability.” he said.
Johnson also appreciated the Chinese delegation in Nigeria and the Federal Government for their invaluable support towards the project,
He said that through the initiative, Nigeria could harness its hydropower potential, improve rural electrification, and drive socio-economic growth, setting a model for similar initiatives across Africa.
In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said that the centre was an innovative step to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation Forecast.
According to him, Nigeria possesses abundant hydropower resources, yet much of this remains untapped.
He said that the country still faced significant challenges in providing reliable and sustainable power supply.
“This energy gap deepens social economic hardships and constrains industrial development.
“Small hydropower is a mature and efficient renewable energy solution. It is particularly suited for rural and remote areas and aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s needs.
“In view of this, the Chinese government has decided to jointly establish this centre through trilateral cooperation with UNIDO and the Nigerian government.
“It is done with financial support provided by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund of China.’’ he said.
Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, lauded the project, saying that it will push the frontiers of renewable energy availability and accessibility in the country.
According to him, the project will bridge the yearning energy gap which the country needs today, particularly in industrialisation, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Renewed Hope agenda.
“We are aware that the knowledge transfer, the technical training, the policy guidance will benefit Nigeria and the broader West African sub-region.
“I want to assure of the full institutional support of the university to this laudable project.
“We expect to see a synergy and integration with other sources of clean and renewable energy, such as the windmill and the solar,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a steering committee was inaugurated to carry out the project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
