Lagos drives clean energy initiative to power ICT sector

The Lagos State government is seen leading the drive for the deployment of clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to power the burgeoning Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

At a virtual roundtable which drew stakeholders from related sectors, Olalere Odusote, the commissioner for energy and mineral resources, explained the intention of the government to achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions.

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, which population is estimated at over 22 million people, has the highest density of ICT infrastructure, and the sector accounts for about 410,000 tons of CO2 emissions per annum in the state.

At the virtual roundtable themed “Clean Energy Initiative to Power the ICT sector in Lagos, Odusote emphasised the importance of the ICT sector in achieving the state’s ambition of becoming a 21st century smart city economy. This, he said, explains the ongoing deployment of 6000km fibre optic cables across the state.

To ensure the full attainment of the dream, Odusoted said there was the need for key players in the sector to support the government, adding that the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is focused on providing the leadership, the enabling environment and crafting the appropriate policies to support this transition.

“The state government is working with energy sector players to ensure that various clean energy solutions are available to the ICT sector to enable the transition.

Adedolapo Fasewa, the general manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in her submission, said the state government was committed to supporting Nigeria to achieve the objective of net zero emission target by 2050 under the C40 Cities Alliance alongside 9 other African cities”.

She added: “To attain and surpass these lofty goals in Lagos, we require the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders.”

Habeeb Alebiosu, group CEO, Viathan Engineering, observed that the roundtable provided an opportunity to highlight the appropriate clean energy solutions suitable for the ICT industry and for the general public.

Alebiosu said Viathan operates a number of power plants in Lagos and its environs deploying only natural gas and other renewable forms of energy, thereby reducing CO2 emissions that adversely affects the environment. He further stated that “other ICT and telecoms organisations should take advantage and be connected to Viathan’s network for round the clock power availability with no consequences to their technology and equipment. “Our doors are always open,” he added.

Adetoyese Oyerinde, head of data centre at Cloud Exchange, stated that “power is critical to our business; clean energy gives us the room to do and be more.”

Dayo Adeshina, programme manager, National Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Expansion Plan highlighted the potential role that LPG could play in driving the clean energy transition in the ICT sector. He noted that the Federal Government was keen about improving the availability of LPG by implementing the LPG Expansion Plan”.

Adedoyin Adeola, vice president operations, Airtel Nigeria, said Airtel was open to collaborations to reduce emissions at their data centres in Lagos and across the country.