The Electricity Hub (TEH), a business division under public policy think-tank, Nextier, is gearing up to launch a book on Nigeria’s energy revolution come November 2024.
Authored by Winifred Owunna, the highly anticipated book, “Empowering Nigeria’s Energy Revolution,” will be launched at the 100th Power Dialogue organisers by TEH.
A statement issued by TEH noted that Winifred Owunna, a rising star in the energy sector, has been making significant contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s power industry, with her book having already captured the attention of power sector leaders, like Nigeria’s former Power Minister, Professor Osita Chinedu Nebo, who wrote the foreword.
“Owunna revealed to TEH that her experiences in both the UK and Nigerian energy sectors have enabled her to pinpoint key challenges and recommend areas for improvement in Nigeria’s approach to energy access.
She highlighted the stark differences between energy markets, stating, “in the UK, the energy sector benefits from a stable regulatory framework supporting innovation and the transition to renewable energy. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s energy sector faces more complex challenges.
“We rely heavily on fossil fuels, and the regulatory environment, though improving, is inconsistent. This makes attracting investments or adopting advanced technologies essential for modernising the power grid difficult.”
The author’s journey in writing the book involved extensive research into global energy systems, leading to a sobering realization of the numerous options available to Nigeria that have remained underutilized over the decades.
According to her: “It made me reflect on the challenges we have faced and the missed opportunities that have kept us in this cycle”.
The statement further explained that the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the critical energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Nigeria, with Owunna emphasizing that this transition is not just an option but a necessity for sustainable development, given the mounting energy challenges facing the country.
“I always knew that energy poverty was a problem in Nigeria, but I didn’t feel I could do much about it. That changed when I experienced a personal tragedy. I lost a dear one due to power inefficiencies in a Nigerian hospital. It was heartbreaking and revealed the devastating consequences of unreliable energy access”, the author said.
This tragic event prompted Owunna to further her education in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies in England, aiming to learn from countries that have achieved near-zero blackouts and understand the practices contributing to a more stable energy sector.
“Empowering Nigeria’s Energy Revolution” aims to bridge the knowledge gap by providing valuable information to all stakeholders passionate about solving energy poverty. The book offers a detailed examination of Nigeria’s power sector, including its challenges, history, limitations, progress, and areas for further exploration.
The launch of this groundbreaking book at Nextier’s 100th Power Dialogue in November 2024 is expected to be a significant event in Nigeria’s energy sector, potentially catalyzing discussions and actions towards a more sustainable and reliable energy future for the nation.
