NIGERIA’S ENERGY TRANSITION WATCH Series 2

LITHIUM AS A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY TO ACHIEVE NET-ZERO EMISSION OF GREENHOUSE GAS IN NIGERIA

Desertification in the north, floods in the center, pollution, coastal erosion and the ensuing socioeconomic effects are all indicators of the truth and serious effects of climate change in Nigeria and across the world. These factors and events indeed reveal why quick action is required in order to limit the damaging effects of climate change. Hence, nations around the world have transitioned to clean energy and Electric Vehicles (EV), therefore, growing demand for lithium and other minerals. This transition offers Nigeria a new opportunity to improve its non-oil earning and embrace the energy of the future. Also, this will help Nigeria achieve its objective per the Climate Change Act 2021 of net zero emission of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) by the year 2050-2070. The succeeding paragraphs will highlight the potential of lithium in Nigeria and reference its impact on the path towards achieving the energy of the future and a net zero emission of GHG.

USE OF LITHIUM AS A RENEWABLE ENERGY

Lithium, when it is in its crude form is an alkali metal that is soft, silvery-white, highly reactive and flammable. In comparison to other rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are more powerful and portable. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used as a form of energy storage in both EV and grid-level energy storage systems. Even when there is no sunlight or wind present, these batteries make it possible to generate electricity. This provides a reliable and consistent energy source and works to balance out the intermittent nature of renewable energy.