Oando Clean Energy (OCEL), the renewable energy subsidiary of Oando Energy Resources, is supporting the Nigerian government’s electric vehicle (EV) initiative by purchasing 100 new EVs. The announcement was made at the ongoing Conference of the Parties (COP28) event in Dubai, reflecting OCEL’s commitment to sustainable transport and aligning with the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Key Points:
- Sustainable Transport Initiative:
- OCEL launched its Sustainable Transport initiative in collaboration with Lagos State through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on May 24, 2023. The initiative involves the deployment of electric mass transit buses to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
- Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Success:
- The 90-day Proof-of-Concept (PoC) phase included the rollout of two electric mass transit buses in Lagos. The buses covered over 43,800 kilometers, carried over 73,000 passengers, saved 21,000 liters of diesel, and mitigated 57.8 tons of CO2 emissions.
- Pilot Phase and Full Rollout:
- The Sustainable Transport initiative is progressing to a pilot phase with 50 buses, and plans include a full rollout of 2,000 buses for Lagos State. OCEL aims to match the Federal Government’s commitment of deploying 100 electric buses to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
- National Scale Deployment:
- OCEL’s commitment extends beyond Lagos State, with the distribution of 50 buses for the pilot phase in Lagos and the remaining 50 buses to be spread across Cross River, Kaduna, and Edo States. This aligns with the Federal Government’s push for sustainable transportation.
- Support for Federal Government’s Initiative:
- The purchase of 100 EVs by OCEL directly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement during the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses Rollout Programme at COP28. The Federal Government aims to modernize transportation systems and reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint.
- Private Sector Leadership:
- Private sector players, including Oando, are recognized for their role in the country’s energy transition journey. The director-general of the National Council on Climate Change commends Oando’s leadership and calls for the replication of such approaches by other private sector players.
- Additional Agreements:
- Oando has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cross River State government to establish an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, supply EVs for mass transportation, and build a 100 MW wind plant for power generation. Another MoU with CarbonAi focuses on initiatives related to greenhouse gas reduction.
- Strategic Vision for Clean Transportation:
- Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, President/CEO of Oando Clean Energy, expresses pride in leading sustainable transport solutions in Nigeria. The company’s strategic vision aligns with creating a clean and eco-friendly transportation system for Nigerians.
Conclusion: Oando Clean Energy’s purchase of 100 electric vehicles reinforces its commitment to sustainable transport in Nigeria. The company’s initiatives, from the successful PoC in Lagos to the national-scale deployment of EVs, support the government’s efforts to modernize transportation and reduce carbon emissions. OCEL’s strategic vision aligns with creating a cleaner and more eco-friendly transportation system for the country.
