The Energy Commission of Nigeria, Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Environment, and the British High Commission have launched an updated version of the Nigeria Energy Calculator 2050 (NECAL2050), a device designed to assist industries and the energy sector set CO2 reduction targets and to identify solutions to support Nigeria's National Determined Contributions (NDCs) climate commitments with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Launched on March 21, 2022, in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, the updated version of the NECAL2050 – with the first version having been introduced to Nigeria in 2013 – is expected to be used to form part of Nigeria's national energy planning tools for the country's Nigeria Vision 2050 development plan.
The first of its kind in Africa, the NECAL2050 was delivered under the UK Government International 2050 Calculator program to reflect modern policies, supply and demand of energy, and propositional scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions from 2015 to 2050. The update was funded by the UK's International Climate Finance program, and was led by global development consultancy firm, Mott MacDonald, and a consortium comprising the UK's Imperial College; climate research center, Climact; and global environmental consultancy company, Ricardo.
"The launch of the Nigeria Energy Calculator 2050 further strengthens bilateral collaboration between the UK and Nigeria on the clean energy transition," stated British High Commissioner, Catriona Lain, adding that, "Nigeria's energy sector accounts for 60% of total greenhouse gas emissions and the sector is also key to the delivery of Nigeria's many development priorities. It is, therefore, critical to understanding the options that are available to reduce emissions while matching energy supply and demand."
According to a statement released by the British Deputy High Commission as part of the launch, Nigeria had submitted updates on its NDCs, which featured renewed stipulations for industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is an energy planning tool that enables choices in energy development pathways to be examined, along with its environmental consequences. The NECAL2050 model should form part of our national energy planning tools. This will be used in planning energy needs for Nigeria's Vision 2050 and beyond. This will reflect Nigeria's commitment to cleaner and more sustainable energy utilization," stated Nigeria's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, H.E. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
Highlighting the commitment of the Government of Nigeria and its President H.E. Muhammadu Buhari towards global climate reduction targets, Nigeria's Minister of State for Environment, H.E. Sharon Ikeazor, stated, "As we gather to launch the 2nd Edition of the Nigeria Energy Calculator, NECAL2050, I am more elated knowing that the completion of this policy tool could not have come at a better time than now," adding that, "Towards this end, the ministry, as the national coordinating body of climate activities, will leverage on this tool for policy and decision-making for the implementation of Nigeria's long-term strategy for climate change."
Presented as a more user-friendly model, the NECAL2050 Edition features updates to six sectors, including, transport, infrastructure, industry, CO2 removal and gasses, electricity and land, and bioenergy and waste, and was designed for use by governments, stakeholders, academia, as well as the public in order to better inform the debate surrounding carbon emission reduction and modern energy challenges.
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