Seplat Energy Assures On Sustainable Energy Mix Supply 

Seplat Energy Plc has said its greatest business opportunity ahead of it is to supply the right mix of energy to support Nigeria’s growth.
In doing so, the company said, it remains committed to making positive social impacts and contributing to Nigeria’s achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Director, New Energy, at Seplat, Effiong Okon, said this while delivering a keynote address at the 45th edition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) themed: ‘Operationalising a Clean Energy Transition for Sustainable Development in Africa’.
Okon, who represented Roger Brown, CEO Seplat Energy, said for a successful energy transition in Africa: “We must support the goals of the Paris Agreement and align with society’s objective to get the world to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, if not before, as lower-emission hydrocarbons, particularly gas, have a role to play during energy transition by replacing diesel generators and biomass.
“Though hydrocarbon export will continue to be a mainstay of the Nigerian economy and will fund Nigeria’s growth as well as its energy transition, the Oil & Gas Industry has a role to play as a responsible steward of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets, including those that might be divested”, he said.
According to him, in the longer term, the reality and threat of climate change requires the decarbonisation of energy systems in Nigeria, but sustainability and transparency must be at the heart of business operations and decision making.
Speaking on ‘just transition’ Okon noted that, there is the need to balance decarbonisation with development, adding that: “Global warming and climate volatility are existential threats to humanity and nature.
“The world needs to accelerate efforts to achieve net-zero and mitigate warming effects. Africa’s climate, agriculture and people will suffer most in the coming decades.
“The problem has been caused by emissions from developed-world countries that have enjoyed their ‘carbon privilege’ and built strong economies on fossil fuels.
“However, we need to consider the reality in the continent. Poverty, hunger, unemployment, population growth abound here.
“Africa contributes just 3.3 per cent of global emissions. Most Africans (600 million) lack access to reliable energy, which hampers development.
“Use of inefficient and costly diesel/petrol generators saps financial resources, drains foreign exchange and creates pollution”, he stated.
According to him, in the longer term, the reality and threat of climate change requires the decarbonisation of energy systems in Nigeria, but sustainability and transparency must be at the heart of business operations and decision making.