PAM Africa launches net-zero villages in Nigeria

PAM Africa, a Nigerian-based renewable energy start-up, has launched Net-Zero Villages (NZVs) that consist of a community designed to offset more greenhouse gases than it produces.

This innovative approach is the first of its kind from an African solar company and is set to solve the energy problem facing over 500 million people globally who lack access to energy. The communities will also provide significant employment opportunities to rural dwellers, creating over 112 new job opportunities for the respective community.

Dr Patrick Agese, chief executive at PAM Africa, said, “Over 80 Million Nigerians do not currently have access to energy, and because of this, 45% of goods are lost due to a lack of refrigeration. But today, we’re empowering people to drive us closer to a future where energy across the country is 100% renewable, reliable and accessible.”

He further stated that NZVs are the answer to Nigeria’s most critical challenge.

Each NZV will have various innovative technologies for affordable, clean, and quality energy access, including solar mesh-grids, mini-grids, battery hubs, so-cool systems, and e-mobility solutions. These features make NZVs very attractive as they will have a positive impact on Africa.

The NZVs will also play a crucial role in combating climate change as net-zero is required to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. In the 2015 Paris Agreement, all 196 UN member states committed to net-zero, and the IPCC, the United Nations body for assessing the science of climate change, concluded the need for the world to achieve net-zero CO2 by 2050, with a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030, to remain consistent with 1.5°C of warming.

Africa is said to be the smallest contributor to climate change, and initiatives like NZVs will ensure it is able to keep this status while meeting its social needs.

PAM Africa has developed a White Paper on its NZVs, which outlines how the initiative will provide energy and industrialization to communities in Africa while considering the climate crisis, solving a lot of problems in African communities, including food, water, transport, energy, and security. The company aims to develop 200 NZVs by 2030, creating 20 000 new jobs for rural dwellers and offsetting 56,700 tonnes of greenhouse gases with more funding.

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