REA Applauds NERC's New Mini-Grid Regulations in Nigeria

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), represented by Managing Director Dr. Abba Aliyu, has praised the newly released mini-grid regulations by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as a historic turning point that will expedite large-scale project delivery in Nigeria's renewable energy sector. Following two years of advocacy and technical submissions, the REA highlighted that these regulations will address the delays caused by existing systems that fail to meet the needs of the Nigerian populace.

The new rules are expected to unlock significant opportunities for millions of Nigerians currently living without reliable power. Dr. Aliyu expressed gratitude to NERC Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni and the NERC team for their collaborative efforts.

The regulations increase the capacity threshold for isolated mini-grids from 1MW to 5MW and for interconnected mini-grids to 10MW, allowing for the development of larger systems without complex regulatory requirements. Additionally, the introduction of a single permit process will eliminate the costly and time-consuming dual licensing process that previously hindered progress.