COP28: Halilu to speak on homegrown techs for rural electrification in Dubai –NASENI

*Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, December 3, 2023, will share with a global audience the regulatory agency’s plans and strategies for rural electrification in Nigeria, using homegrown technologies at the ongoing 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as Conference of the Parties (COP28), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), is billed to detail the regulatory agency’s plans and strategies for rural electrification in Nigeria, using homegrown technologies at the ongoing 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as Conference of the Parties (COP28), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

NASENI, in a statement issued Thursday disclosed that Halilu, Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which officially opened Thursday, November 30, is expected to deliver opening remarks, and also participate in a panel session, titled: “Advancing Sustainable Rural Electrification through Homegrown Technologies”.

ConsumerConnect reports the COP28, also referred to as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), holds from November 30 to December 12, this year.

The summit is intended for governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.

Presidents and Heads of State, government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners, civil society organisations, academics and media are all expected to grace the event.

Olusegun Ayeoyenikan,

Director of Information at NASENI, also stated that Halilu, EVC/CEO of the agency, will speak alongside Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, UNIDO; Gov Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, Nigeria; and Miklós Veszprémi, Climate & Sustainability Expert Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), during the panel session, to be moderated by Al Amin Idris, CEO of Interface Africa.

The statement further said the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NASENI would discuss the roles, which the agency currently is playing back home to promote development and adoption of homegrown technologies for rural electrification in Nigeria as well as other initiatives being undertaken to advance sustainable rural electrification in the West African country.

Activating NASENI’s mandate under Halilu’s leadership

The Director of Information noted that since Halilu assumed office September 2023, he has made sustainable rural electrification via renewable energies one of his key priorities, having embarked on partnership commitments with government agencies and companies, such as Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) to ensure rural communities are provided with affordable renewable energy solutions and also homes.

The agency stated: “This is being accomplished through provision of fund toward research and development, facilitating technology transfer, and support for commercialisation of innovative solutions.”

It also said in September 2023, NASENI and REA agreed to work together to deploy NASENI solar resources and other renewable energy technologies to increase electricity supply to Nigeria’s rural areas.

“Also in November, the Family Homes Funds Limited signed an MoU with the Agency to promote modern and sustainable building designs for affordable housing across Nigeria,” said Halilu.

According to NASENI’s EVC/CEO during the MoU signing event with FHFL, “the Agency will contribute toward reducing the cost of building materials so that Nigerians can build, own homes and to deploy affordable solar energy solutions.”

NASENI explained the  Family Homes Funds Limited is a limited liability company, owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, and it is represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

About NASENI

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) was established in 1992 by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the mandate specifically in the area of capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering.

NASENI broad areas of operation covers: Engineering Materials, Industrial and Analytical Chemical Materials, Scientific Equipment and components, Engineering Equipment, Engineering Designs and Standardisation, Power Equipment, Electrical Electronics and Engineering Materials development, etc.

NASENI operates mainly through her Development Institutes, each of the Institutes has a unique mandate of Engineering Infrastructural development and production systems, said the regulatory agency.

At present, there are Ten (10) functional Development Institutes and ten emerging Institutes spread across Nigeria.

Efforts at attaining sustainable rural electrification

The statement as well said the Agency had undertaken several initiatives to advance sustainable rural electrification in Nigeria, including establishing the Rural Electrification Innovation Hub.

It also has provided grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), developing renewable energy solutions, and collaboration with international partners to share best practices.

NASENI’s intervention in the energy sector of Nigerian economy also includes establishment of pioneering projects like local manufacturing of Solar panels in Nigeria (being First of its kind since 2011).

NASENI Solar Energy Limited located at Karshi, FCT Abuja is wholly involved in production of solar panels, batteries and other appliances.

The agency has local capacity for design and manufacturing of Small Hydro Power (SHP) turbines and installation.

It is also involved in the design locally and production of Pole Mounted Transformers and wind turbines, etc., all of which will boost the power situation in the country especially in rural areas.

NASENI also produces energy saving bulbs through one of its Institutes-Electronic Development Institute (ELDI) Awka, Anambra State, stated Ayeoyenikan.