Elohor Aiboni, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), emphasized the need for Nigeria to diversify its renewable energy sources in order to mitigate carbon emissions from fossil fuel production while simultaneously addressing the escalating energy demands of its growing population.
During her address at the inauguration of the 41st annual international conference and exhibition of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos, Aiboni underscored the importance of fostering Public-Private Partnerships in the renewable energy sector. This collaborative approach, she asserted, could overcome the challenges of high investment costs and limited access to financing.
Aiboni highlighted that the collective effort to reduce carbon emissions required collaboration from both individuals and corporate entities. She lauded the role of All On, an impact investing company established by Shell in Nigeria in 2017, as a noteworthy example of private sector involvement in renewable energy. All On, through its investee companies, has successfully facilitated over 75,000 energy connections in Nigeria, spanning solar energy systems, solar assembly, cold storage, and mini-grids.
The Managing Director also advocated for investments in lower-carbon energy sources, emphasizing the expansion of the natural gas portfolio and related infrastructure projects such as pipelines, processing, and distribution facilities. These initiatives, she asserted, could enhance domestic gas supply, foster intra-regional trade, and facilitate global exports, all while bridging the energy access gap and minimizing the risk of stranded gas resources.
Addressing the role of technology in promoting energy efficiency, Aiboni highlighted the impact of advancements such as artificial intelligence and robotics, along with innovations in proactive and predictive surveillance. These technological interventions, she noted, have contributed to increased equipment runtime and a reduction in intermittent flaring. Shell, she mentioned, has successfully implemented these innovations in its operations, achieving over a 50% reduction in flare emissions onshore and nearly eliminating flaring in deepwater operations.
Aiboni concluded by acknowledging the significance of renewable energy, innovation, and emerging technologies as crucial pillars for the industry. She emphasized the need to leverage these opportunities as enablers for a sustainable and long-term energy future for Nigeria. Commending NAPE for organizing the five-day conference, she expressed optimism that the discussions would play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s sustainable energy trajectory.
