Netherlands launches board to promote sustainable solutions in solar industry in Nigeria
In order to expedite Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy, the Dutch government established an advisory board with the goal of promoting sustainable solutions in the solar industry.
The opening ceremony took place on February 7, 2024, in Ilupeju, Lagos, at the Arnergy office.
A statement claimed that the Dutch government’s commitment to encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and accomplishing sustainable trade and development in Nigeria included the Solar Marketplace initiative.
It was mentioned that the advisory board would be crucial in determining the solar marketplace initiative’s strategic direction and practical application.
It clarified that the Marketplace is anticipated to serve as a reliable conduit for trade, investment, and business connections within the Nigerian solar industry.
In light of this, the Dutch Consulate declared that it was happy to announce the Solar Marketplace Advisory Board’s formal founding.
According to the statement, the action is a critical advancement in the company’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.
“Together with Nigeria, we are embarking on a journey to harness the power of renewable energy,” stated Geoffrey van Leeuwen, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, during the inauguration of the Solar Marketplace Advisory Board.
“We hope to accelerate the adoption of solar technologies, foster innovation, and create a tangible impact on Nigeria’s energy landscape by bringing together top minds from the country’s renewable energy sector.”
Yusuf Umar, a member of the new advisory board and the programme lead of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority renewable energy platform, voiced concerns in his remarks regarding the fragmentation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Femi Adeyemo, founder of Arnergy and member of the advisory board, for his part emphasized the necessity for Nigerian companies to move away from diesel, citing the difficulties involved with using alternative energy sources.
Adeyemo emphasized how crucial it is to encourage investments in renewable energy in order to guarantee operations that are sustainable.
Farouk Bello, a manager at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Edwin van Veenhuizeen from Invest International, and Ayo Ademilua, the president of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, are the members of the advisory board for the solar marketplace.
Other participants include Olabanjo Alimi from Sterling Bank, Michael Ivenso from the National Council on Climate Change, and Emeka Oragunye from Sustainable Energy for All.
