Energy
New UN study highlights potential for clean energy in Africa
JOHANNESBURG: A new United Nations study says less than one per cent of all patent applications relating to clean energy technology, CET, have been filed in Africa.
The study also highlights the opportunity for the continent to leapfrog existing fossil-fuel energy sources and, in the process, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health.
Africa has a huge untapped potential for generating clean energy, including enough hydroelectric power from its seven major river systems to serve the entire continent’s needs, as well as enormous potential for other energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal, the study by the UN Environment Programme, UNEP, and the European Patent Office, EPO, said.
The study said hydropower, the most commonly used renewable energy source, is utilized at just 4.3 per cent of the continent’s total capacity – although recent years have seen efforts to ramp up clean energy, with North African nations leading in solar and wind categories, Kenya in geothermal, Ethiopia in hydro and Mauritius in bioenergy.
Patents and Clean Energy Technologies in Africa also points out that intellectual property and patenting in particular have been highlighted as a significant factor limiting the transfer of new clean technologies to developing countries, and identified as a barrier to these countries meeting new emission limits for CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
While the lack of patents filed means CETs can be freely exploited in Africa, the lack of these patents to protect their products means source companies may be reluctant to offer up their know-how to promote technology transfer, according to a news release on the study.
“The development and transfer of technologies are key pillars in both mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to its effects; patents are a crucial part of this process,” said UNEP spokesperson Nick Nuttall.
“In addition to an accelerated response to climate change, boosting clean energy technologies have multiple green economy benefits including on public health – for example, in sub-Saharan Africa more than half of all deaths from pneumonia in children under the age of five, and chronic lung disease and lung cancer in adults over 30, can be attributed to solid fuel use,” he added.
The study found that of the 1 per cent of identified CET-related patents filed in Africa, the majority came in South Africa – meaning there was very little activity in the rest of the continent.
Also, only 10 per cent of African inventors apply for patent protection in Africa; the majority tend to seek protection in four other regions: the United States (27 per cent), the European Patent Office (24 per cent), Germany (13 per cent) and Canada (10 per cent).
The report adds that there are signs that the situation is changing. Despite low patent application numbers, the overall inventive activity in African countries grew by 5 per cent between 1980 and 2009, compared to 4 per cent at the global level. With a 59 per cent increase, mitigation technologies grew most significantly in that period.
Noting that Africa’s intellectual property system requires further development to better support the transfer of technology that can mitigate climate change, the report makes a number of recommendations, including the development of international policies to promote CET in Africa without having to consider significant issues relating to patent rights.
The Lagos based, 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) might be struggling for real acceptance in Nigeria’s domestic market, but the international markets appear to have embraced it with both hands.
As at Wednesday, November 6, 2024, three global oil dealers account for as much as 75 percent of refined products being lifted from the DPRP.
In a development touted as reshaping petroleum trading between Africa and Europe, Vitol Group, Trafigura Group, and BP Plc were listed by Bloomberg as the dominant buyers of fuels from the DPRP.
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Going by the data, it can be seen that the three global dealers accounted for the bulk of the plant’s shipments since flows began ratcheting up around the middle of 2024.
The report was backed by data from Precise Intelligence, a new oil-and-gas trading analytics firm based in Geneva.
The data showed refined products offtake from February 27 to October 10 with other customers, and indicated that the Nigerian market took 25 percent of total fuel purchases from the DPRP in the period under review.
Recall that the DPRP on starting operations, kick-started the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (petrol).
The management of the DPRP has been consistent in expressing confidence that as soon as it becomes fully operational, it would peak at processing up to 650,000 barrels a day of crude into products including gasoline and diesel.
The implication is that at its peak, the DPRP would be the biggest single plant in Europe or Africa, conferring on it the capacity to reshape the regions’ oil and fuel trading.
Oil industry pundits note that the coming on stream of the DPRP has already trimmed a glut of Nigerian crude.
Analysis of the report showed that the refinery has loaded almost 6 million tons of fuel since starting up.
This is equivalent to almost 45 million barrels, loading rates averaged about 35,000 tonnes a day in October, its data showed.
The DPRP itself said late last month that the refinery had reached processing rates of about 420,000 barrels a day of crude.
Stakeholders are paying close attention, which sees the composition of fuel cargoes loading from the DPRP closely watched because it offers clues into where the refinery is at in terms of starting up different processing units.
On the products sold, the figures show that automotive gas oil — commonly known as diesel — is the largest cargo type being lifted, accounting for the highest proportion of shipments. This is followed by fuel oil, which ranks second in terms of volume.
Together, these two products make up more than 60 percent of the total output being collected from the plant.
Other significant fuel types being processed include gasoline, which is used for cars and other light vehicles, and jet fuel, primarily utilised by the aviation industry for aircraft.
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
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