#AOW: Oando Energy Resources COO, Irune calls for regional collaboration to accelerate Africa’s energy transition
Dr. Ainojie Irune, COO, Oando Energy Resources at AOW
Oredola Adeola
Dr. Ainojie Irune, Chief Operating Officer, Oando Energy Resources, has recommended collaboration among African countries to harmonize the cost of deploying, operating, and scaling renewable energy projects, in order to accelerate the continent’s energy transition and ensure a just energy transition for all.
Oando’s Chief Operating Officer made this call at the recently concluded Africa Oil Week, in Cape Town, South Africa during the Energy Leaders Debate themed “How can the African continent attain sustainability and increase access to modern energy services for its people?”
He stated that most African countries lacked the financial, technical and human capacity critical to fully implement a green energy transition.
Dr. Irune said “For African countries, the energy transition presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, the vast energy deficits in production, combined with abundant renewable energy resources which underpin our transition ambitions.
Individually, most African countries lack the financial, technical and human capacity critical to fully implement a green energy transition. We must dispassionately prioritize regional collaboration to harmonise the cost of deploying, operating and scaling renewable energy projects.
According to him, “Together, we can drive progress and foster a brighter energy future for Africa.”
Recommending solutions to Africa’s energy transition and net zero ambitions, Dr. Irune said “Africa is a renewable energy powerhouse. We have the resources, the capacity, and the population. We can no longer excuse ourselves from getting involved in the energy transition.”
He therefore called for sector leaders to leverage these industry events as an opportunity to move Africa forward, faster.
