Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model
The DESERTEC project, a European Union (EU) initiative to harness solar energy by means of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) from Africa for use in Europe, shows the enormous potential that exists in alternative energy sources for the sub-region once there is political will. The Trans-Mediterranean Ren...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Cape Town
2017-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Energy in Southern Africa |
| Online Access: | https://journals.assaf.org.za/jesa/article/view/2148 |
| _version_ | 1811218205993074688 |
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| author | Udochukwu B. Akuru Ogbonnaya I. Okoro Chibuike F. Maduko |
| author_facet | Udochukwu B. Akuru Ogbonnaya I. Okoro Chibuike F. Maduko |
| author_sort | Udochukwu B. Akuru |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The DESERTEC project, a European Union (EU) initiative to harness solar energy by means of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) from Africa for use in Europe, shows the enormous potential that exists in alternative energy sources for the sub-region once there is political will. The Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Corporation (TREC), a network of scientists and politicians who have taken it upon themselves to solve Europe’s energy problem using sun from Africa, conducted three studies which evaluated the potential of renewable energy resources in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the expected needs for water and power in EU-MENA between now and 2050 and issues relating to the construction of an electricity transmission grid connecting the EU and MENA (EU-MENA-Connection), with a formula to turn the North African desert sun into electricity and transport same to Europe. This paper harnesses the TREC fact-finding studies in order to estimate how much the same ideas can be applied in many other parts of the world, Nigeria in particular. Investigation reveals that this association exists with huge potentials for an energy-starved country like Nigeria in harnessing her abundant hot sun in the north, which could go a long way in meeting the energy needs in that part of the country and beyond. Other benefits include unlimited supplies of clean electricity, agricultural gains, and creation of new industries, new jobs and new sources of income. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:07:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4acba889173a4b3783c05cb819ed63e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1021-447X 2413-3051 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:07:07Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | University of Cape Town |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Energy in Southern Africa |
| spelling | doaj.art-4acba889173a4b3783c05cb819ed63e92022-12-22T03:42:46ZengUniversity of Cape TownJournal of Energy in Southern Africa1021-447X2413-30512017-04-0126310511010.17159/2413-3051/2016/v26i3a21482148Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC modelUdochukwu B. Akuru0Ogbonnaya I. OkoroChibuike F. MadukoUniversity of Cape TownThe DESERTEC project, a European Union (EU) initiative to harness solar energy by means of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) from Africa for use in Europe, shows the enormous potential that exists in alternative energy sources for the sub-region once there is political will. The Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Corporation (TREC), a network of scientists and politicians who have taken it upon themselves to solve Europe’s energy problem using sun from Africa, conducted three studies which evaluated the potential of renewable energy resources in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the expected needs for water and power in EU-MENA between now and 2050 and issues relating to the construction of an electricity transmission grid connecting the EU and MENA (EU-MENA-Connection), with a formula to turn the North African desert sun into electricity and transport same to Europe. This paper harnesses the TREC fact-finding studies in order to estimate how much the same ideas can be applied in many other parts of the world, Nigeria in particular. Investigation reveals that this association exists with huge potentials for an energy-starved country like Nigeria in harnessing her abundant hot sun in the north, which could go a long way in meeting the energy needs in that part of the country and beyond. Other benefits include unlimited supplies of clean electricity, agricultural gains, and creation of new industries, new jobs and new sources of income.https://journals.assaf.org.za/jesa/article/view/2148 |
| spellingShingle | Udochukwu B. Akuru Ogbonnaya I. Okoro Chibuike F. Maduko Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model Journal of Energy in Southern Africa |
| title | Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model |
| title_full | Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model |
| title_short | Harnessing Nigeria’s abundant solar energy potential using the DESERTEC model |
| title_sort | harnessing nigeria s abundant solar energy potential using the desertec model |
| url | https://journals.assaf.org.za/jesa/article/view/2148 |
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