NEW NERC MINI-GRID RULES END SCARCITY THINKING, UNLOCK POWER AT SCALE — REA MD
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–REA Managing Director Dr Abba Aliyu hails NERC’s updated mini-grid regulations as a “historic turning point” set to fast-track large-scale renewable projects and power millions in underserved communities.
Key Issues:
– Historic Turning Point: _”The newly released mini-grid regulations as a historic turning point that will fast-track large scale project delivery in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu, REA MD
– From Scarcity to Scale: _”These regulations represent a shift from scarcity thinking to a strategy of scale and innovation.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu
– Fixing a Broken System: _”For too long, vital projects were delayed and investments slowed due to a system that failed to match the ambition of the Nigerian people.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu
– Two Years of Advocacy : _”The updated regulation released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), follows two years of intense advocacy and technical submissions from the REA.”_
– Unlocking Power for Millions : _”By aligning policy with the practical realities faced by developers on the ground, the new rules are expected to unlock massive opportunities for millions of Nigerians currently living without reliable power in underserved areas.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu
– Praise for NERC: _”Their openness to collaboration has effectively written their names in gold.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu, appreciating NERC Chairman Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni and the NERC team
– *Immediate Impact for Key Programmes*: _”For developers working under major initiatives like DARES, NEP, and the Energizing Education Programme, the impact of this reform is immediate.”_ _”The work now shifts from navigating bureaucratic hurdles to accelerating the deployment of infrastructure that can finally meet the true demand of underserved communities.”_ — Dr Abba Aliyu
– *Higher Capacity Thresholds*: _”The new regulations provide for an increase in capacity thresholds, which have been raised from the previous 1MW limit to 5MW for isolated mini-grids and 10MW for interconnected mini-grids. This allows developers to build larger, more robust systems without being trapped in the complex regulatory requirements typically reserved for utility-scale power plants.”_
The regulation also introduces a single permit that consolidates generation, distribution, and supply, eliminating costly and time-consuming dual-licensing processes that previously stalled progress.
Aliyu further hailed the new regulation for introducing practical environmental compliance pathways specifically designed for solar PV and battery systems, alongside defined energization timelines.
He noted that these new reforms will ensure that once a project is built, it is commissioned and delivering power to the people without unnecessary delay.
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