The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, says the newly commissioned Barefoot Renewable Energy College (BARECKS) will position Nigeria and Africa at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
Abdullahi stated this in Kogi State, during the official commissioning of the college located at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH).
Abdullahi described the institution as a transformative national asset designed to drive research, innovation, technology development, and workforce expansion across the continent.
He noted that the college was established to provide practical renewable energy training to Nigerians, irrespective of their educational background.
“BARECKS will bridge the gap between hands-on technical skills and university-backed research,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the institution was equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to support local capacity building and clean energy research.
“The college features renewable energy laboratories, photovoltaic and solar thermal workshops, battery storage units, and power electronics laboratories.
“It also houses mini-grid simulation platforms, wind and bioenergy training facilities, electric vehicle charging modules, and energy efficiency laboratories,” he said.
The director-general added that the commissioning of BARECKS, alongside the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant, reflects ECN’s commitment to building institutions that accelerate sustainable economic development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)