Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Bridget Mosanya, a teenager in Nigeria, experienced a power outage while studying due to the unreliable electricity supply in the country. Her family had a small solar system that provided enough light for her to continue studying. However, a street away, 13-year-old Bamkinaan Panshak had to wait for the power to be restored or rely on a partially charged cellphone flashlight for his homework because his family did not have a solar system and couldn’t afford to run their gasoline-powered generator after the removal of a fuel subsidy.
The removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has sparked increased interest in solar energy as an alternative. This could contribute to Nigeria’s climate goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuel-powered generators and lowering emissions. The subsidy, which cost the government billions of dollars, hindered infrastructure development and contributed to emissions from gas-powered generators.
The adoption of solar energy has been limited by the high upfront costs, with only a small percentage of Nigerian households having installed solar systems. However, if 30% of households adopted solar by 2030, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5 million metric tons.
To make renewable energy more accessible and affordable, experts suggest implementing incentives such as tax credits, low-interest financing, and net metering policies that allow solar owners to sell excess power to the grid. Customs duty waivers for imported solar equipment and a review of fiscal policies could also help expand access to off-grid solar energy.
While the removal of the fuel subsidy may impose a financial burden on the population, it presents an opportunity to transition to cleaner energy sources like solar and electric vehicles. Many Nigerians are already showing interest in solar systems, recognizing the potential benefits for both the environment and their own energy needs.
