The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-Alliance) has disclosed that it’s maiden national conference with the theme; Optimising opportunities in the Energy Transition Value Chain would be coming up on the 1-2 of March, 2022.

The Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Alliance, Dr. Imamuddeen Talba, made this known on Wednesday during a press conference held in Abuja.

According to Talba, the National conference shall be declared open by the Honourable Minister of Power Engr. Abubakar Aliyu who shall also deliver the keynote speech as the event is aimed at addressing the challenges of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country.

“Other very important dignitaries expected to address the conference include Hon. Minister of State for Environment Chief Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor; H.E. Prof Akinwunmi Adeshina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB); Chairperson, Senate Committee on Power; Chairperson, House Committee on Power; Benjamin Duke, Head of Program, NESP; David Wedepohl, CEO, BSW Solar; European Union; German Embassy and President, African Renewable Energy Association.

“In furtherance of our mandate, and in line with Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2021-2025; REEEA-A is organizing a two-day national conference during 1-2 March 2022 (9.00 am – 6.00 pm daily) with the Theme: “Optimizing Opportunities in the Energy Transition Value Chain”, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, Nigeria. This is to push to the front, REEEAA’s concerns about Climate Change and the Green Economy; in support of the global efforts to address the risks inherent in climate change and the imperatives of
renewable energy driven by the Paris Agreement, as further reemphasized at the last COP26 in Glasgow, UK. Like other developing countries, Nigeria remains committed to a net-zero future, especially given our vulnerability to the adverse effects; and REEEAA is an integral partner in promoting the solutions to these challenges. Already, a Conference Planning/Organizing Committee has been set up under the chairpersonship of Professor Magnus Onuoha, Vice Chairman of REEEA-A’s Steering Committee.”

In their previous press releases regards the forthcoming event, the media, publicity, and programmes coordinator of the organization, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, said the conference is also aimed at addressing the risks inherent in climate change and the imperatives of
renewable energy.

Similarly, Dr. Imamuddeen at the press conference explained that, “The 2022 REEEA-A national conference shall feature plenary sessions, breakouts, panelists, exhibitions, keynote speeches, papers presentations, opportunities to make new friends and reconnect with old ones; featuring of profiles of MDAs and Companies in the conference programme book and REEEAA website; ministerial tour of exhibitions, goodwill messages; and produce a communiqué.

“Issues to be discussed during the conference include Policy implementation for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency sources in Nigeria; Climate Change Act and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient investment opportunities; Youth and Energy Transition – Unlocking Opportunities; Financing Nigeria’s Energy Transition beyond 2030; Role of Gender in Achieving Energy Transition; and more”, he added.

“We look forward to support and participation of all stakeholders in RE/EE in this conference, which promises to be a landmark/milestone support for Nigeria’s intention to ramp up and leverage renewable energy to reduce the number of residents without access to electricity, especially in rural areas not currently connected to the grid; and achieve 15 percent reduction in the number of the population without access to electricity by 2025. Yes, we can”.

He further noted that
given Nigeria’s current deteriorating energy and access, the REEEA Alliance’s strategy focuses on bridging the capacity gaps regarding knowledge, technology, and innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Nigeria.

He stressed that
REEEA-A’s aim is to promote and strengthen renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, as well as innovation for sustainable development of Nigeria and beyond.

He added that the
two-day national conference, scheduled to hold in March 2022, is aimed at contributing towards clean and reliable energy access and poverty alleviation and ultimately contribute to Nigeria’s vision to support and promote the growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices.

Continued: “The 2022 REEEA-A national conference shall bring to the front burner, the emerging issues of energy transition and optimizing the opportunities arising therefrom, represent Nigeria’s largest gathering of policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, investors, and consumers in the renewable energy and energy efficient sector.”

Giving a brief background on the organization, he disclosed that the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-Alliance) was established in 2021 as an outcome of Nigerian Energy SuppREEEA-A aimsESP II), a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria.

“Partnering with the REEEA-Alliance is the German Solar Industry Association, BSW-Solar based in Berlin. This is fostered through a program run by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) which focuses on partnership projects. Thus, the REEEA-Alliance prides itself as the foremost alliance of local professional Associations to promote the markets of renewable energies and energy efficiency in Nigeria.

“The following Associations, listed alphabetically, are current members of the REEEA-Alliance: Association of Energy Engineers of Nigeria (AEE), Crenstar for Renewable Energy Initiative (CREN), Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (RAESON), Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN), Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN), and Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A).

“The REEEA Alliance has a Board of Trustees (BOT) with Professor Abubarkar Sani Sambo as Chairperson; and a Steering Committee in charge of the day to day running of the Alliance with Barrister Imamuddeen Talba as Chairperson. The Alliance’s current strategic plan has five priority areas namely Energy; Climate Action; Inclusion; Infrastructure, Welfare & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and REEEAA’s Internal Growth; with the following specific interventions: Training, Sensitization & Capacity Building; Consultancy Services; Trade & Market Development; Network & Information Exchange; Research; and Interest Representation/Advocacy. These interventions are aimed to contribute towards clean and reliable energy access and poverty alleviation thus, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s vision to support and promote the growth of RE/EE technologies and practices”.