The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), has launched a Small Hydropower Center of Excellence in Nigeria Project.
The project, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region, will serve as a regional hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance in Small Hydropower (SHP) development.
To be situated at the University of Abuja, the project will also promote hybrid renewable energy solutions that combine SHP with solar and wind technologies to strengthen energy resilience, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking during the inception workshop and launch of the project yesterday, Director and UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS, UNIDO Regional Hub Nigeria, Amb. Philbert Johnson, stated that Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources, such as hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind.
He, however, noted that despite the country’s substantial SHP potential, less than 5 percent has been developed due to technical, financial, and policy barriers.
Highlighting the great potential towards increasing access to affordable electricity and addressing climate change, he said, the Center will serve as a hub for SHP knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance, benefiting Nigeria and the broader West African region.
“Additionally, the Center will support the integration of hybrid renewable energy solutions, combining SHP with solar and wind technologies to enhance energy resilience and sustainability,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, noted that the Center is an innovative step to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation Forecast.
He said Nigeria possesses abundant hydropower resources, yet much of this remains untapped. The country still faces significant challenges in providing reliable and sustainable power supply.
“This energy gap deepens social economic hardships and constrains industrial development. Small hydropower is a mature and efficient renewable energy solution. It is particularly suited for rural and remote areas and aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s needs.
“In view of this, the Chinese government has decided to jointly establish this Center through trilateral cooperation with UNIDO and the Nigerian government, with financial support provided by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund of China,” he said.
Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, in his address, lauded the project, as it would push the frontiers of renewable energy availability and accessibility in the country.