Sahara Group, a prominent energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has recently completed the installation of wind turbines at Egbin Power Plc. This initiative aims to counter the annual emission of 35,793,360g of CO2.
Integrating these wind turbines marks a pivotal step in Sahara Group’s commitment to promoting eco-friendly practices across various sectors, locally and globally, including upstream, midstream, and downstream power, technology, and infrastructure.
During a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, emphasized the project’s alignment with Egbin’s sustainability objectives, geared towards reducing the plant’s carbon footprint and fostering a cleaner, greener future.
“By harnessing wind energy as an alternative to conventional power sources, this project offers a sustainable avenue for reducing carbon emissions,” Gray highlighted.
She emphasized the potential impact: “With the operational capacity of the 15 newly installed wind turbines at Egbin Power, we anticipate an annual reduction of approximately 35,793,360g of CO2.”
Gray also outlined the project’s broader implications, noting that its success at Egbin Power could pave the way for similar renewable energy initiatives within Sahara Group’s operations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
She added, “Replicating this model has the potential to bolster Sahara Group’s sustainability endeavours, drive down operational expenses, and underscore our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Mokhtar Bounour, CEO of Egbin Power, underscored the significance of the anticipated decrease in carbon emissions, emphasizing the project’s pivotal role in combating climate change and advancing environmental sustainability.
“The installation of these wind turbines underscores Egbin’s dedication to embracing clean energy solutions and aligning with global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions,” Bounour stated. “This initiative ensures the continuous provision of power to our security infrastructure through clean energy sources, prioritizing safety, operational efficiency, and seamless functionality.”
Bounour further elaborated on the maintenance strategy, emphasizing the implementation of a rigorous plan to ensure the smooth operation of the wind turbines and associated equipment.
This plan includes regular inspections, lubrication of moving components, replacement of worn parts, and ongoing performance monitoring, all conducted in accordance with international standards.
Note that Nigeria’s Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rates the country’s climate targets and policies as “Almost sufficient,” indicating they do not fully align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature goal but could with some improvements.
Nigeria’s unconditional target meets its fair share contribution to limit warming to 1.5°C, but its conditional target aligns with 2°C of warming, falling short of necessary climate action levels within the country.
While Nigeria’s policies are compatible with a 1.5°C limit based on its fair share, they lag in meeting the required action level domestically. Additional support is needed to implement more policies and strengthen efforts to meet the conditional target.
CAT’s ratings rely on government-reported emissions data, which may underestimate actual emissions, particularly in the energy sector. Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise 34-43% above 2010 levels by 2030 under current policies, including the impact of Covid-19.