Sustainable Energy Policy for Africa (Nigeria) and Europe: A Comparative Study
The purpose of this paper was to develop a policy and associated regulatory actions together with legislations that could help in sustainable energy development in Africa and Nigeria in particular. As a result of depletion of fossil fuels in most African countries, renewable energy options such as solar, wind and hydropower biomass are considered to be alternative sources in sustaining the energy security in the continent and particularly Nigeria. Corruption level is another factor that hinders economic growth and development in Nigeria. A review of the past literature on sustainable energy policy from Europe has been carried out. The countries investigated include: The United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and Finland. Their policies have been examined, and this helps suggest new policies on sustainable energy for Nigeria and Africa as a continent. The policies analyzed focused on incentives such as Feed-in-Tariff (FiT). Renewable energy sources potential and renewable have been investigated in Nigeria and that could help in formulating new sustainable energy policy for the country. Some of the proposed policies includes: Renewable Obligation (RO), Cogeneration, FiT, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Renewable Integration, and Heat Entrepreneurship. These are some the new policies that could help sustain the energy security, reduce the level of poverty and corruption in Nigeria as well as Africa in general. If these policies are well designed and properly implemented as observed in this research, Nigeria can achieve sustainable energy and economic growth and development in the near future. Each proposed policy was assigned a timeframe for it to be achieved.
[1] Mandelli, S. et al. (2014). Sustainable energy in Africa: A comprehensive data and policies review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 37: pp. 656-686.
[2] Ajayi, O. (2013). Sustainable energy development and environmental protection: Implication for selected states in West Africa. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. 26: pp. 532-539.
[3] Kessides, I. (2014). Powering Africa’s sustainable development: The potential role of nuclear energy. Energy Policy. 74: pp. S57-S70.
[4] Duero, A. and Koop, S. (2012). Green Energy-Green Business: New financial and policy instruments for sustainable growth in the EU. European Review. 11 (2): pp. 281-282.
[5] Mytilinou, V., Kolios, A. J. and Di Lorenzo, G. (2015). A comparative multi-disciplinary policy review in wind energy development in Europe. International Journal of Sustainable Energy. Pp. 1-21.
[6] Okeke, R. C., Izueke, E. M. C. and Nzekwe, F. I. (2014). Energy security and sustainable development in Nigeria. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review.4 (3): pp. 63.
[7] Nwanya, S. C., Ekechukwu, O. V. and Onyejekwe, D. C. (2012). Modelling of energy utilization pattern in the industrial sector in Nigeria. Energy Systems. 3 (3): pp. 291-301.
[8] Emodi, N. V. & Boo, K. (2015). Sustainable energy development in Nigeria: Current status and policy options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 51: pp. 356-381.
[9] Abam, F. I., Nwankwojike, B. N., Ohunakin, O. S. and Ojomu, S. A. (2014). Energy resources structure and on-going sustainable development policy in Nigeria: a review. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. 5 (2): pp. 1-16.
[10] Ikediashi, D., Ogunlana, S. and Ujene, A. (2014). An investigation on policy direction and drivers for sustainable development facilities management practice in Nigeria. Journal of Facilities Management. 12 (3): pp. 303-322.
[11] Wysokinska, Z. 2012. Mutual Dependence between sustainable energy - and sustainable policies-from the Global and European perspective. Comparative Economic Research. 15 (3): pp. 5.
[12] Hinrichs-Rawlwes, R. 2013. Renewable energy: Paving the way towards sustainable energy security. Lessons learnt from Germany. Renewable Energy. 49, pp. 10-14.
[13] Bechberger, M. & Reiche, D. 2004. Renewable energy policy in Germany: pioneering and exemplary regulations. Energy for Sustainable Development. 8 (1): pp. 47-57.
[14] Martens, S. and Kuhn, M. 2015. Geological underground will contribute significantly to the implementation of the energy policy towards renewables in Germany. Energy Procedia. 76, pp. 59-66.
[15] Suhlsen, K. & Hisschemoller, M. 2014.Lobbying the Energiewende.Assessing the effectiveness of strategies to promote the renewable energy business in Germany. Energy Policy. 69, pp. 316-325.
[16] Roettereng, J.S. 2014. The foreign policy of carbon sinks: Carbon capture and storage as foreign policy in Norway. Energy Procedia. 63, pp. 6927-6944.
[17] Hafez, A. 2014. Investigating the effectiveness of UK energy policy in promoting renewable investments and reducing carbon emissions. Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business.17, pp.1.
[18] Cooke, H., Keppo, I. and Wolf, S. 2013. Diversity in the theory and application: A review with application to the evolution of renewable energy generation in the UK. Energy Policy. 61, pp. 88-95.
[19] Peura, P. and Hyttinen, T. 2011. The potential and economics of bioenergy in Finland. Journal of Cleaner Production. 19 (9): pp. 927-945.
[20] Valkila, N. and Saari, A. 2013. Experts’ view on Finland’s energy policy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 17, pp. 283-290.
[21] Deichmann, U., Meisner, C., Murray, S. and Wheeler, D. S. 2011. The economics of renewable energy expansion in rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Energy Policy. 39 (1): pp215-227.
[22] Connor, P.M. 2003. UK renewable energy policy: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 7 (1): pp. 65-82.
[23] Romero-Rubio, C. and Diaz, J. 2015. Sustainable energy communities: A study contrasting Spain and Germany. Energy Policy.85, pp. 397-409.
[24] Huttunen, S. 2012. Wood energy production, sustainable farming livelihood and multi-functionality in Finland. Journal of Rural Studies. 28 (4): pp. 549-558.
[25] Zakeri, B., Syri, S. and Rinne, S. 2014. Higher renewable energy integration into the existing energy system of Finland – Is there any maximum limit? Energy. 92, pp. 244-259.
[26] Varho, V., Rikkonen, P. and Rasi, S. 2016. Futures of distributed small-scale renewable energy in Finland – A Delphi study of opportunities and obstacles up to 2025. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 104. Pp. 30-37.
[27] Uwe, D. et al. 2011. Potential economic and social benefits of promoting energy efficiency measures in Nigeria. Energy Efficiency. 4 (4): pp. 465-472.
[28] Oniemola, P. K. 2011. Integrating renewable energy in to Nigeria`s energy mix through the law: Lessons from Germany. Renewable Energy Law and Policy. 2(1): pp. 29.
[29] Rossenberg, E., Lind, A. and Espegren, K. 2013. The impact of future energy demand on renewable energy production – Case of Norway. Energy. 61, pp. 419-431.
[30] Szabo, S. et al. 2013. Sustainable energy planning: Leapfrogging the energy poverty gap in Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 28: 500-509.
[1] Mandelli, S. et al. (2014). Sustainable energy in Africa: A comprehensive data and policies review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 37: pp. 656-686.
[2] Ajayi, O. (2013). Sustainable energy development and environmental protection: Implication for selected states in West Africa. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. 26: pp. 532-539.
[3] Kessides, I. (2014). Powering Africa’s sustainable development: The potential role of nuclear energy. Energy Policy. 74: pp. S57-S70.
[4] Duero, A. and Koop, S. (2012). Green Energy-Green Business: New financial and policy instruments for sustainable growth in the EU. European Review. 11 (2): pp. 281-282.
[5] Mytilinou, V., Kolios, A. J. and Di Lorenzo, G. (2015). A comparative multi-disciplinary policy review in wind energy development in Europe. International Journal of Sustainable Energy. Pp. 1-21.
[6] Okeke, R. C., Izueke, E. M. C. and Nzekwe, F. I. (2014). Energy security and sustainable development in Nigeria. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review.4 (3): pp. 63.
[7] Nwanya, S. C., Ekechukwu, O. V. and Onyejekwe, D. C. (2012). Modelling of energy utilization pattern in the industrial sector in Nigeria. Energy Systems. 3 (3): pp. 291-301.
[8] Emodi, N. V. & Boo, K. (2015). Sustainable energy development in Nigeria: Current status and policy options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 51: pp. 356-381.
[9] Abam, F. I., Nwankwojike, B. N., Ohunakin, O. S. and Ojomu, S. A. (2014). Energy resources structure and on-going sustainable development policy in Nigeria: a review. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. 5 (2): pp. 1-16.
[10] Ikediashi, D., Ogunlana, S. and Ujene, A. (2014). An investigation on policy direction and drivers for sustainable development facilities management practice in Nigeria. Journal of Facilities Management. 12 (3): pp. 303-322.
[11] Wysokinska, Z. 2012. Mutual Dependence between sustainable energy - and sustainable policies-from the Global and European perspective. Comparative Economic Research. 15 (3): pp. 5.
[12] Hinrichs-Rawlwes, R. 2013. Renewable energy: Paving the way towards sustainable energy security. Lessons learnt from Germany. Renewable Energy. 49, pp. 10-14.
[13] Bechberger, M. & Reiche, D. 2004. Renewable energy policy in Germany: pioneering and exemplary regulations. Energy for Sustainable Development. 8 (1): pp. 47-57.
[14] Martens, S. and Kuhn, M. 2015. Geological underground will contribute significantly to the implementation of the energy policy towards renewables in Germany. Energy Procedia. 76, pp. 59-66.
[15] Suhlsen, K. & Hisschemoller, M. 2014.Lobbying the Energiewende.Assessing the effectiveness of strategies to promote the renewable energy business in Germany. Energy Policy. 69, pp. 316-325.
[16] Roettereng, J.S. 2014. The foreign policy of carbon sinks: Carbon capture and storage as foreign policy in Norway. Energy Procedia. 63, pp. 6927-6944.
[17] Hafez, A. 2014. Investigating the effectiveness of UK energy policy in promoting renewable investments and reducing carbon emissions. Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business.17, pp.1.
[18] Cooke, H., Keppo, I. and Wolf, S. 2013. Diversity in the theory and application: A review with application to the evolution of renewable energy generation in the UK. Energy Policy. 61, pp. 88-95.
[19] Peura, P. and Hyttinen, T. 2011. The potential and economics of bioenergy in Finland. Journal of Cleaner Production. 19 (9): pp. 927-945.
[20] Valkila, N. and Saari, A. 2013. Experts’ view on Finland’s energy policy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 17, pp. 283-290.
[21] Deichmann, U., Meisner, C., Murray, S. and Wheeler, D. S. 2011. The economics of renewable energy expansion in rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Energy Policy. 39 (1): pp215-227.
[22] Connor, P.M. 2003. UK renewable energy policy: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 7 (1): pp. 65-82.
[23] Romero-Rubio, C. and Diaz, J. 2015. Sustainable energy communities: A study contrasting Spain and Germany. Energy Policy.85, pp. 397-409.
[24] Huttunen, S. 2012. Wood energy production, sustainable farming livelihood and multi-functionality in Finland. Journal of Rural Studies. 28 (4): pp. 549-558.
[25] Zakeri, B., Syri, S. and Rinne, S. 2014. Higher renewable energy integration into the existing energy system of Finland – Is there any maximum limit? Energy. 92, pp. 244-259.
[26] Varho, V., Rikkonen, P. and Rasi, S. 2016. Futures of distributed small-scale renewable energy in Finland – A Delphi study of opportunities and obstacles up to 2025. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 104. Pp. 30-37.
[27] Uwe, D. et al. 2011. Potential economic and social benefits of promoting energy efficiency measures in Nigeria. Energy Efficiency. 4 (4): pp. 465-472.
[28] Oniemola, P. K. 2011. Integrating renewable energy in to Nigeria`s energy mix through the law: Lessons from Germany. Renewable Energy Law and Policy. 2(1): pp. 29.
[29] Rossenberg, E., Lind, A. and Espegren, K. 2013. The impact of future energy demand on renewable energy production – Case of Norway. Energy. 61, pp. 419-431.
[30] Szabo, S. et al. 2013. Sustainable energy planning: Leapfrogging the energy poverty gap in Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 28: 500-509.
@article{"International Journal of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences:80696", author = "N. Garba and C. S. Özveren and D. Blackwood and A. Adamu and A. I. Augie", title = "Sustainable Energy Policy for Africa (Nigeria) and Europe: A Comparative Study", abstract = "The purpose of this paper was to develop a policy and associated regulatory actions together with legislations that could help in sustainable energy development in Africa and Nigeria in particular. As a result of depletion of fossil fuels in most African countries, renewable energy options such as solar, wind and hydropower biomass are considered to be alternative sources in sustaining the energy security in the continent and particularly Nigeria. Corruption level is another factor that hinders economic growth and development in Nigeria. A review of the past literature on sustainable energy policy from Europe has been carried out. The countries investigated include: The United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and Finland. Their policies have been examined, and this helps suggest new policies on sustainable energy for Nigeria and Africa as a continent. The policies analyzed focused on incentives such as Feed-in-Tariff (FiT). Renewable energy sources potential and renewable have been investigated in Nigeria and that could help in formulating new sustainable energy policy for the country. Some of the proposed policies includes: Renewable Obligation (RO), Cogeneration, FiT, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Renewable Integration, and Heat Entrepreneurship. These are some the new policies that could help sustain the energy security, reduce the level of poverty and corruption in Nigeria as well as Africa in general. If these policies are well designed and properly implemented as observed in this research, Nigeria can achieve sustainable energy and economic growth and development in the near future. Each proposed policy was assigned a timeframe for it to be achieved.", keywords = "Sustainability, renewable energy, energy policies, Africa, Nigeria, Europe, United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Finland.", volume = "16", number = "3", pages = "30-7", }
