UNIDO Seeks NASENI’s Collaboration on Renewable Energy Solutions

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has called for the collaboration of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to reduce energy poverty in the country.

A statement by Director Information, NASENI, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, quoted the organisation as stating that this can be done via domestication of renewable energy solutions and to fast-track industrial development of the country.

The Deputy Head, UNIDO Nigeria Office, Mr. Adekunle Olusile who led a delegation to visit the Management of NASENI  in Abuja, sought amongst others to facilitate German companies and research institutions’ collaborations with the agency to reduce energy waste and support the present government’s food production agenda.

Olusile said he had identified several areas of collaboration from NASENI’s presentation, while adding that: “Germany is very strong in renewable sector with several of its companies which are important to such partnerships and are seeking to know Nigeria’s plan to grow its solar PV usage before 2030”.

 NASENI and UNIDO thereafter set up a working group to drive the initiatives and also to bring all prospective partners on board.

 Some of the German companies represented at the meeting held in Abuja  included Bloomhill Agroservices, (B)energy, Wilo Pumps, GEA, EMPO-NI and University Weihenstephan Triesdorf , among others.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, represented by the Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, in company with top management of the agency received the team.

Onyechi informed the visitors that NASENI has the mandate of driving Nigeria’s industrial development through technology transfer and domestication as well as production of capital goods to be ceded to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In a short presentation on behalf of the agency, Deputy Director, Engineering Infrastructure, Emmanuel Ajani, detailed various interventions, programmes and projects of NASENI in the renewable, agricultural and industrial sectors, showcasing to the delegation various technological innovations, products and machineries produced by NASENI.

The UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Germany Team Lead, Michael Schmidt said the organisation mobilises investments and technologies for sustainable industrial development.

He said UNIDO supports investors and companies by facilitating technology transfer from Germany to developing countries and economies in transition.