The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have strengthened collaboration to accelerate renewable energy development and support Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
This is contained in a statement by REAN’s Head of Communications, Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, following a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting held at NERC headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, discussions at the meeting focused on improving regulatory frameworks, addressing industry challenges, and enhancing investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Speaking during the engagement, REAN stressed the need for stronger policy coordination, institutional collaboration, and effective enforcement mechanisms to drive renewable energy deployment nationwide.
The association noted that achieving Nigeria’s energy transition goals would require improved market standards, increased investor confidence, and enhanced cooperation among stakeholders in the power sector.
REAN also highlighted its contributions to the industry through its diverse membership, comprising mini-grid developers, solar home system providers, commercial and industrial solar operators, consultants, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the solar, hydro, biomass, and wind energy value chains.
The association commended recent reforms in the electricity sector, particularly the expansion of mini-grid capacity thresholds and policy alignments with the Electricity Act 2023, describing them as significant milestones for renewable energy development.
However, it identified several challenges confronting the industry, including limited capacity among some State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), coordination gaps between renewable energy developers and Distribution Companies (DisCos), the proliferation of substandard products, inadequate certification of operators, and limited access to timely regulatory information.
According to REAN, addressing these challenges will require stronger collaboration among regulators, industry players, and government institutions.
In response, NERC reiterated its commitment to supporting the renewable energy ecosystem through the development of net billing and renewable energy integration frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, and stronger coordination with state regulators and Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs).
The commission also emphasised the need for increased public awareness and technical training for solar technicians to improve quality assurance and boost consumer confidence in renewable energy solutions.
NERC further called for enhanced collaboration among key government agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Nigeria Customs Service, to curb the influx of substandard renewable energy products into the Nigerian market.
Both organisations agreed on the need to establish a national stakeholder engagement platform that would bring together regulators, Distribution Companies, and renewable energy developers to address operational bottlenecks and improve policy implementation.
They expressed optimism that sustained engagement and stronger institutional cooperation would attract greater investment, accelerate renewable energy deployment, and promote sustainable energy solutions across the country.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing policies and initiatives that would support a more reliable, inclusive, and sustainable energy future for Nigeria.
