As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to develop and implement Small Hydropower (SHP) projects, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with funding support from the European Union (EU), has organised a capacity-building workshop on SHP development.
The workshop, which featured the Balanga Dam SHP project in Gombe State as a case study, brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors in the renewable energy space.
It aimed to raise awareness of the viability of SHP as a reliable means of generating electricity and driving economic growth, while promoting the exchange of experiences and knowledge in SHP project development.
Participants examined the strategic importance of small hydropower in advancing rural development and supporting agro-industrial activities.
UNIDO’s Representative and Sub-regional Director, Ambasador Philbert Johnson, highlighted Nigeria’s significant renewable energy potential, including hydropower, wind, solar and biomass.
‘Among these renewable energy sources, SHP holds great potential towards providing access to electricity and addressing climate change,’ he said.
He noted that recent government estimates place Nigeria’s total hydropower potential at 24,000 MW, of which small hydropower accounts for about 3,500 MW.
Johnson stressed the need to develop effective strategies that bridge existing gaps and incorporate international best practices.
‘The project is being implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Rural Electrification Agency as well as key States where the power plants will be located, such as Gombe,’ he added.
Highlighting the critical importance of energy for economic growth and sustainable development, he said: ‘Fortunately, Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar, biomass and wind. Among these energy sources, Small Hydropower (SHP) holds great potential towards increasing access to electricity and addressing climate change.
‘Recent government estimates indicate a hydropower potential of approximately 24,000MW, of which SHP accounts for about 15 percent.
‘However, in spite of this great potential, electricity access in Nigeria is still less than 60 percent, resulting in a significant gap between supply and demand.
‘It is in this context that UNIDO with funding support of the European Union (EU) is organising this workshop, focused on raising awareness among policy makers, project developers and financial institutions on the viability of small hydropower as an effective means of generating electricity and enhancing economic development.’
Amb. Johnson explained that the choice of this event in Gombe state clearly highlights the commitment of Gombe state to advancing clean technologies to generate energy that will boost economic development for residents of the state.
He said: ‘The choice of this event in Gombe is also to practically enhance participant knowledge and skills for the effective development and implementation of small hydropower projects, using the 620kW Balanga Dam SHP project as a case study.
‘The Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project is more than a mere energy infrastructure initiative. It provides us with a hands-on opportunity to examine how our water resources can be optimally harnessed to support economic transformation, improve livelihoods and strengthen energy security,’ he said.
Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, thanked the European Union Delegation, UNIDO, the Global Environment Facility and the Rural Electrification Agency for their generous contributions, without which this vital Project would not have been possible.
On the importance of the workshop and the SHP Balanga Dam project, he said: ‘It is a great honor for us to host this important Capacity Building Workshop on Small Hydropower Development, and to also host the 4th Meeting of the Project Steering Committee.
‘By choosing Balanga Dam SHP as a case study, you have put Gombe State on the national map for renewable energy and sustainable water management. We do not take this lightly.
‘The Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project is extremely strategic to us. Beyond generating clean electricity, it supports irrigation, water supply, flood control, and livelihoods for our people.’
Dr. Jatau expressed the continued commitment of the Gombe State Government to the successful completion of the project.
He said: ‘We will provide the enabling environment for the speedy completion of the Balanga Small Hydro Project (SHP) as well as the agro-processing cluster which will serve as the primary off taker of the electricity generated.
‘We will integrate SHP development into our rural electrification and irrigation master plan. We will ensure community ownership so that the project is protected, sustained, and delivers benefits to the host communities.’