FG partners UNIDO, EU on data for renewable energy products
The Federal Government has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the European Union to generate data on solar panels, inverters and batteries imparted into the country for effective recycling of the products. Speaking during the Federal-Level Capacity Building Training 1 & 2 on the Joint Data Monitoring System […]
The Federal Government has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the European Union to generate data on solar panels, inverters and batteries imparted into the country for effective recycling of the products.
Speaking during the Federal-Level Capacity Building Training 1 & 2 on the Joint Data Monitoring System for the Management of Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment (OGREE) organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) with funding from the European Union (EU), the National Programme Officer, UNIDO, Osuji Otu, said while most renewable waste end up in dumpsite, Nigeria could gain huge revenue from the used products when recycled.
Otu said the programme which seeks to promote circular economy in Nigeria through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, said when managed well, renewable energy waste could create jobs when convert to usable products again.
“So that’s what we are trying to do, to make sure they don’t end up in dump sites, but using circular economy approach, we recycle them and use them again. But the data collection will enable us to know and track these waste materials with the hope of applying a circular economy approach to recycle some of the waste materials into reusable items.
“If you don’t manage them very well, they are filled up in dumpsites, they cause environmental, have a natural effect on our health, on pollution and other related matters.
He added that data is important to achieve the goals of the project by generating information of products imported into the country and recycle them through organised waste collectors.
On his part, Director Inspection & Enforcement, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Christopher Beka, Beka noted that the country is rapidly scaling up off-grid renewable energy solutions to address electricity access gaps, particularly in underserved rural communities. However, he stressed that scaling up renewable energy infrastructure without planning for its waste lifecycle would pose future environmental threats.
“While off-grid systems help us meet energy and climate goals, they will eventually reach end-of-life. Used solar panels, batteries and electronics, if not properly managed, can threaten environmental and human health,” he said.
He emphasised that NESREA is committed to ensuring sustainability not just at the federal level but also at the subnational level. Effective waste management must be inclusive of both levels to be truly impactful.
Speaking on the environmental benefits, Beka noted that recycling renewable energy waste reduces environmental hazards and creates economic opportunities by recovering valuable materials. He highlighted that data collection and analysis play a crucial role in enhancing regulatory processes and enabling informed interventions.
“If you collect good data and ask the right questions, the potential is limitless. One analyst with accurate data can drive interventions, compliance monitoring, and enforcement actions,” Beka added.
A legal expert from BlackForest Solutions (BFS), Federica Del Llano Toro outlined details of the project’s timeline and goals. She stated that the project is set to run for 36 months, starting in December 2023 and ending in November 2026.
She explained that the overall objective is to improve access to sustainable energy solutions through the promotion of small hydropower and the application of circular economy principles. This approach aims to combat environmental pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change.