The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the European Union (EU), has organised a capacity building workshop for local stakeholders to use small hydropower for Nigerian farming, in effort to bring clean power to rural farms and grow the local food industry
The one-day workshop held Monday in Gombe, featured the Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project (SHP) in the state as a case study, bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors in the renewable energy space
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Monday, UNIDO’s Representative and Sub-regional Director, Ambassador Philbert Johnson, said it aimed to raise awareness of the viability of SHP as a reliable means of generating electricity and driving economic growth, while promoting the exchange of experiences and knowledge in SHP project development
He highlighted Nigeria’s significant renewable energy potential, including hydropower, wind, solar and biomass
“Among these renewable energy sources, SHP holds great potential towards providing access to electricity and addressing climate change,” he said
Amb Johnson noted that recent government estimates place Nigeria’s total hydropower potential at approximately 24,000 MW, of which small hydropower accounts for about 3,500 MW.
He, therefore, stressed the need to develop effective strategies that bridge existing gaps and incorporate international best practices
“The project is being implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Rural Electrification Agency as well as key States where the power plants will be located, such as Gombe,” he added
The UNIDO representative stressed that the workshop focused on raising awareness among policy makers, project developers and financial institutions on the viability of small hydropower as an effective means of generating electricity and enhancing economic development
Amb Johnson explained that the choice of this event in Gombe state clearly highlights the commitment of Gombe state to advancing clean technologies to generate energy that will boost economic development for residents of the state.
“The Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project is more than a mere energy infrastructure initiative It provides us with a hands-on opportunity to examine how our water resources can be optimally harnessed to support economic transformation, improve livelihoods and strengthen energy security,” he said.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, commended the EU delegation, UNIDO, the Global Environment Facility and the Rural Electrification Agency for their generous contributions, “without which this vital Project would not have been possible”
He said the Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project is extremely strategic to the state, adding that beyond generating clean electricity, “it supports irrigation, water supply, flood control, and livelihoods for our people”
Dr Jatau expressed the continued commitment of the state government to the successful completion of the project.
“We will provide the enabling environment for the speedy completion of the Balanga Small Hydro Project (SHP) as well as the agro-processing cluster which will serve as the primary off taker of the electricity generated
“We will integrate SHP development into our rural electrification and irrigation master plan We will ensure community ownership so that the project is protected, sustained, and delivers benefits to the host communities,” he added.