FG partners with development partners to address power supply issues.
Through the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), the Federal Government of Nigeria, in a bid to meet its climate obligations has procured funding from the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) to bridge the gap of energy access in communities across the country. Also, for the provision of the needed technical expertise to help in addressing issues relating to power supplies in the country, the government partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria Power Sector Program, GIZ’s Nigeria Energy support Program (NESP) and other development partners.
The Head of the Project Management Unit at the Nigeria Electrification Project, Anita Otubu gave further clarifications as to the significant energy access work that is currently being implemented by NEP IN Nigerian communities. The implementation of the project is done by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), established to cover the energy access gap between the underserved and unserved, stressing on the last-mile areas. This, however, has to be done with renewable energy resources, considering Nigeria’s climate change obligations under the Paris Agreement.
Incentives will make the projects more attractive.
The government is likewise resolving to embark on renewable energy off-grid solutions in line with isolated and interconnected mini-grids, solar home systems and captive solar hybrid power plants. Private owners of businesses are also encouraged to partner with distribution companies for the assurance of access to a reliable power supply in a particular region or community. To ensure universal access to power, the government works with Private sector players who are capable of securing financing for the increment of energy access.
The provision of incentives makes off-grid projects in rural communities more attractive. Therefore, the REA’s NEP ensures the provision of grant subsidies, data, and legal/regulatory advisory support to the companies, to cover the viability gap and give morale to the private sector players to venture into remote communities for the provision of energy access. The NEP is also embedded with five components which are Solar Hybrid Mini grids, Stand Alone Solar Home Systems, Energizing Education Program Phase 2&3, Productive Use Equipment and Appliances for Mini Grid Communities and Technical Assistance.
The private sector is responsible for the protection of the mini grids.
Due to the privatized nature of the private sector, the government is excluded from the obligation of generating and distributing power supplies the same way as private sector companies. It rather performs the function of supervision and support through the provision of an enabling environment (for example, establishing the mini grid regulation), incentives such as grant subsidies, low-interest loans and data that would enable a company to have adequate confidence to invest in the project. The private sector companies are responsible for the protection of the mini grids as they are allowed to run them for 10 to 15 years.
The introduction of mini grids to remote communities is without the intention of overburdening residents with little or no access to financial resources. However, there will be an understanding of how users pay for their preferred source of alternative power supply. Also, in relation to the analysis of the amount that they are able to pay for alternative power supply, a tariff will be easily set up. The private sector companies also provide productive use equipment and appliances in these communities for the stimulation of the load demand and generation of revenue for end users.
NEP has positively impacted over 3 million Nigerians.
NEP targets all states of the country, having completed 65 mini grids that are spread across the country and achieved the deployment of more than 770,000 solar home systems that have had positive impacts in the lives of about 3 million Nigerians. The electrification project is also at the verge of signing contracts with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors for the building of captive power plants for federal universities, as contained under the energizing education program phase II.
Related Link
NEP: Website
The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.
Fact Checking Tool – Snopes.com
Different projects just keep springing up another solar power supply project I hope it really gets to work and the masses benefits from it.
All this home develop solar may not be the solution to the electricity problem of Nigeria because it very expensive and how many people can afford it with the rate of poverty level in the country.
This is a nice initiative. The Electrification Project has impacted a lot of Nigerians. Solar panel provision is an alternative to the regular power supply. It tell us how other things can be used to generate power, such as solar, hydro etc. We should all start deploring new means of generating power.
This is a nice project we have many alternative power supply. New project about power is just showcases I hope it is done how it supposed to be done to benefit people and make it affordable to the people
Due to the privatized nature of the private sector, the government is exempt from the requirement to produce and distribute power supplies in the same manner as private-sector businesses. Instead, it serves as a supervisor and support system by providing an enabling atmosphere and incentives like grants.
Solar panel provision as an alternative to the regular power supply would be a nice project
We should start deploring new means of generating power. I hope it really gets to work, affordable and the masses benefits from it.
Wow very nice project, but this present government can not meet up, no be joke. They can only promise anything or talk about things.
It would be excellent to provide solar panels as an alternative to the current electricity grid.
We should start criticizing new power generation technologies. I hope it actually works, is reasonably priced, and helps the majority.
The goal of this initiative is to close the energy access gap between those who are underserved and those who are unserved, with a focus on last-mile communities.
It’s super exciting to know that this amount of solar home systems are available in Nigeria, they should try as much as possible to make it affordable
Mini grids are being installed in isolated villages without any thought of burdening those who have limited or no access to financial resources.
for the provision of the necessary technical expertise to assist in addressing issues that are associated with power supplies across the nation
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which was established to bridge the gap in energy access between the underserved and the unserved, is the organisation in charge of carrying out the project’s implementation.
The availability of this many solar home systems in Nigeria is quite exciting, and they should do everything in their power to make them affordable.
In light of the climate change commitments made by Nigeria as part of the Paris Agreement, this, however, needs to be accomplished through the utilisation of renewable sources of energy.
The government collaborates with private sector players who are capable of securing financing for the expansion of energy access in order to realise its goal of providing power to all of its citizens.
In order to ensure that residents of a certain area or community have access to a consistent source of electrical power, proprietors of privately owned businesses are strongly encouraged to form partnerships with distribution firms.
contractors for the construction of captive power plants for federal universities, as outlined in phase II of the energising education programme
It will be a great achievement for Nigerian government if more of this kinds of project are done. This will reduce the problem of epileptic electric power supply. Many will benefit greatly from this initiative.
NEP deploring 770,000 solar systems to address electric power supply issues is a great move by the Federal Government who partnered with NEP to achieve this. However, more of this should be implemented nation wide to completely put an end to the continuous epileptic electric power supply experience in the nation.
This project is huge and significant. If it is well implemented it will surely bridge the gap of served and unserved locations with energy as it was proposed.