NERC Launches Net Billing for Excess Solar Power Sales

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has commenced the implementation of a new policy that enables eligible electricity consumers to sell excess electricity generated from solar power systems back to the national grid. This scheme is designed for consumers who generate their own electricity through solar energy, allowing them to export surplus electricity to local electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) instead of wasting it.

Participants will earn credits that can reduce their future electricity bills. This initiative is part of efforts to improve electricity supply in Nigeria, where installed power generation capacity is approximately 13,000 megawatts, significantly below the estimated demand of 20,000 megawatts.

The program primarily targets commercial, industrial, and institutional electricity users. Interested customers must apply to their respective DISCOs, which will conduct a technical assessment to determine connection feasibility.

Once approved, customers will sign a registration with NERC and receive a special bidirectional meter to record electricity supplied back to the grid. Participants will also retain carbon credits generated from renewable energy projects, providing additional environmental and financial benefits.