By Chinenye Anuforo
The transition to clean energy is paramount for Nigeria’s sustainable development, offering a pathway to energy security, environmental preservation, and economic growth. Recognizing this critical need, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), a non-profit committed to consumer rights and empowerment, is set to host a significant Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Stakeholders’ Workshop on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at The Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Under the compelling theme, “Overcoming Barriers to a Sustainable Energy Transition”, this workshop will provide a vital platform for in-depth discussions and collaborative strategies among crucial stakeholders. These include policymakers, energy specialists, investors, development partners, and advocates for clean energy solutions.
This timely event directly aligns with Nigeria’s National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) established in May 2015, and the National Determined Contribution (NDC) of 2015, which aims to increase on-grid renewable energy from 1.3% in 2015 to an ambitious 30% by 2030. As Nigeria strives to achieve its Vision 30:30:30 goal of generating 30,000MW of electricity by 2030, with 30% originating from renewable sources, CADEF and leading sector experts will utilize this workshop to pinpoint and promote practical and scalable DER solutions. Dedicated sessions will address critical areas such as access to Solar Financing and Investment Opportunities, effective DER integration strategies and grid resilience, the latest policy and regulatory developments, as well as emerging clean energy technologies and relevant real-world case studies.
Speaking on the importance of the workshop, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, the Executive Director of CADEF, emphasized, “This workshop is not just about dialogue; it’s about driving real progress. Distributed energy resources are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive energy access, particularly for communities currently lacking adequate services. Through this crucial engagement, our aim is to foster strong partnerships across sectors and equip stakeholders with the necessary tools and insights to implement effective solutions on a significant scale.”
Participants will gain valuable opportunities for direct interaction with pioneers in the clean energy sector, contributing to the shaping of policy and investment discussions vital to Nigeria’s energy transition. Given the rapidly escalating demand for reliable electricity, DER technologies, including solar mini-grids, battery storage, and hybrid systems, are becoming increasingly indispensable for Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Lovelyn Okafor, CADEF’s Director of Programmes, underscored the urgency and significance of the workshop, stating, “Now is the opportune moment to leverage the potential of distributed energy innovations to build a resilient and inclusive energy future for Nigeria. We are bringing together influential voices, from grassroots innovators to leading investors and government officials, to spark lasting and meaningful change.”
CADEF has consistently championed advancements in the renewable energy sector through impactful initiatives. These include the 2024 launch of the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) one-stop shop at der.cadefng.org, a digital platform designed to revolutionize how stakeholders and businesses within the DER ecosystem understand, access, and manage energy solutions. CADEF also recently announced the Greenlabs Programme, a collaborative initiative with Jacob’s Ladder Africa focused on inspiring, equipping, and empowering young Nigerians to develop sustainable, climate-smart solutions addressing pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Workshop sessions will feature a live demonstration of the newly launched DER platform, Renew Energy Naija, accessible at DER.CADEFNG.ORG. Furthermore, there will be engaging panel discussions focusing on crucial topics such as financing and incentives, the establishment of effective public-private partnerships, and the importance of international collaborations. CADEF firmly believes that by strengthening collaboration among diverse stakeholders, Nigeria can fully realize the transformative potential of decentralized renewable energy, significantly expand energy access, and empower millions of underserved households and businesses.
Attendance at the workshop is strictly by confirmed registration, highlighting CADEF’s commitment to fostering meaningful engagement among key stakeholders. This event is an integral part of CADEF’s broader mission to advance energy equity and sustainability through impactful advocacy, innovative solutions, and robust capacity building.