Nigeria is abundantly blessed with significant renewable energy resources including large and small hydroelectric power resources, solar energy, wind and Biomass potentials for hydrogen geothermal and ocean energy, which in most cases are under-explored. As crude oil will continue to play a dominant role in the economic development of the country, however, Nigerian’s fossil-led economy is under severe pressure. Equally, it is no longer a matter of debate that, in decades to come the sun will certainly substitute on the crude oil to meet substantial share of the national energy supply mix, expanding access to energy services and raising the standard of leaving especially in the rural areas.
Equally, fuel wood and other related biomass resources which accounts for over 80% of the Nigerian domestic energy consumption is fast disappearing due to increased population and multiple pressure on the already depleted forest resulting to deforestation fertility, if this situation is left unchecked by any counter measure would upset detrimental effect of soil and ecological balance desertification and related environmental consequence.
Since its inception, the Centre has focused its attention on how to arrest the situation of ecological problems of desert encroachment, soil erosion, and desertification through the design strategies establishment of credible R and D infrastructure, capacity building and public awareness to tackled barriers in renewable energy technologies penetration in Nigeria. Human and institutional capacity building required to sustain research and development and technical skills relevant for design, development and fabrication, installation and maintenance of RE technologies, that would meet the Nigerian challenges in energy security for the future have also been developed.