Beginnings

The Council for Renewable Energy in Nigeria (CREN) was born in November 2004 out of the spirit of Energetic Solutions - an international renewable energy conference held in Nigeria. This conference included representatives from Africa, the Americas and Europe, and was a follow up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development and Bonn Renewables conference to address the Millennium Development Goals and issues of energy and development.

During the conference, Nigerian government, private, and civil sector representatives came together to combine their efforts to envision a renewable energy future for the country. Their vision was encapsulated in the Calabar Declaration, an action plan for renewable energy in Nigeria. 

Founded and comprised of stakeholders from all sectors of renewable energy, the Council for Renewable Energy in Nigeria is in a unique position to effectively build partnerships to facilitate the large-scale implementation of renewable energy in Nigeria.

 

Mission

The Council for Renewable Energy in Nigeria is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder association which promotes the appropriate use of renewable energy technology in Nigeria and the reduction of greenhouse gases through reduced consumption of fossil fuels. CREN aims to bring together the professional sector, government and civil servants, academics, associations, industry, financial institutions and services, the non-profit sector and end-users to act as a forum were they can work together for efficient, appropriate renewable energy implementation and to develop a comprehensive sustainable energy strategy for Nigeria.

CREN will work with all stakeholders to address the challenges of awareness, availability, cost and appropriate implementation of renewable energy technologies in Nigeria. In particular, CREN shall work to create public awareness and foster the emerging availability of reliable, economically viable renewable energy systems.

 

Goals

As a young, ambitious organization, the Council for Renewable Energy in Nigeria aims to:
 

• facilitate the planning and partnerships necessary to achieve large-scale renewable energy implementation in Nigeria
• enhance government and public awareness of renewable energy technologies
• promote and support capacity building initiatives within and between policy makers, traditional leaders, relevant businesses, and NGOs
• advance renewable energy curriculum development in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions
• encourage, publicize and enhance renewable energy initiatives of its members
• establish a strong member base representative of all renewable energy stakeholders
• foster active and effective chapters in all regions of Nigeria