Renewables
Engineers urged to drive digital energy transition
Nigerian engineers must leverage digital tools like artificial intelligence to strengthen the grid and expand energy access.
Key points
- NIEEE president calls for locally relevant digital energy solutions at Port Harcourt conference.
- Energy Commission of Nigeria highlights convergence of digital technology and low-carbon transitions.
- Stakeholders point to grid resilience, cybersecurity and infrastructure deficits as key challenges.
What happened
Nigerian engineers have been urged to deploy digital technologies to accelerate the country's energy transition and improve electricity access. Speaking at the 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications in Port Harcourt, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) President Dr Felix Adeboye said emerging technologies must be harnessed to transform energy systems.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Adeboye told participants that artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and digital twins can improve generation, transmission and distribution. He stressed the need for locally relevant solutions to build grid resilience and integrate renewable energy.
Why it matters
Energy access remains a critical challenge in Nigeria, where electricity use per person stood at 140.6 kWh in 2024, compared to a global average of 3708.5 kWh, according to World Bank figures provided by CEII. Only 62.5 percent of the population had access to electricity in 2024.
Dr Mustafa Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, noted that traditional centralised power networks are evolving into decentralised systems involving renewables and storage. Represented by Dr Manasseh Sheeta, Abdullahi stated that the boundaries between the energy and digital sectors have dissolved, making technological integration vital for managing future power flows.
What comes next
The conference featured a new NIEEE Fellows Assembly to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on engineering practice, focusing on safety, ethics and cybersecurity. Speakers emphasised that collaborative efforts among government, academia and industry are essential to translate conference insights into practical policies and sustainable engineering solutions.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
22.0% of electricity in Nigeria was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
