https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01152-0.pdf

 

Dr Diemuodeke Makes List of Contributors to Global Journal on Nature Energy

A lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dr Ogheneruona Diemuodeke, has been listed alongside 53 other contributors worldwide in the latest Nature Energy publication.

With this feat, Dr Diemuodeke and other authors from across Africa have left an indelible mark in scholarship and in the quest for finding lasting solutions to the daunting energy challenges that continue to bedevil most African countries.

The publication, entitled “Africa needs context-relevant evidence to shape its clean energy future, ” was partially funded by the Climate Compatible Growth Program of the UK government and published online in October, 2022.

The work highlights the fact that each African country faces a distinct energy solution space and set of uncertainties for using renewables or fossil fuels to meet its development objectives. The publication comes at a time when issues of regular electricity supply and energy transition in Africa dominate discussions at international fora. The work posits that African countries, now more than ever, need more energy supply to unlock social and financial opportunities for national development. The publication opens up the potential for a wide variety of energy technology/system pathways for classes of African nations with different short-term and long-term opportunities and risks.

The Eight-page publication noted the richness of the African continent, endowed with a wide variety of energy resources but observed that the continent hiwever, continues to suffer from large energy generation, equity and access gaps.

Dr Diemuodeke, in his support argument, asked for a more informed and granular debate that recognizes the context specificity of energy pathways in African countries in terms of their starting points, objectives and underlying evidence base. He listed the cost of capital/services, extant energy systems, energy poverty levels, resource endowments and skills/capabilities as important variations.

On diverse starting points, he explained that in countries with limited energy infrastructure, energy system investments might be considered riskier, whereas strong institutions in countries with advanced energy systems may lead to a lower cost of capital.

According to the research work, risks and opportunities to consider for African policymakers when choosing energy technologies to reach agenda 2063 cut across economic, social, institutional/political and environmental risks. In this regard, economic objectives will focus on transformed economies for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and functioning financial systems. In what follows, social objectives are centred on a high standard of living and well-being for all citizens, a skills revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation. While institutional objectives consider capable institutions and transformative leadership, and environmental objectives include environmentally sustainable and resilient economies.

The work further recommends investments in local knowledge, skills, institutions and a thriving environment for African scholars to organize the process of clean energy transitioning in all African countries. Dr Ogheneruona Diemuodeke is the second researcher from the University of Port Harcourt to publish in the Nature group of journals, the first being Prof Julian Osuji.