REAN engages NERC on renewable energy rowth

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By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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ABUJA — The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN, has engaged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the renewable energy sector.

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REAN’s Head of Communications, Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, disclosed in Abuja that the association’s leadership recently held a strategic meeting with NERC to strengthen partnership efforts aimed at expanding renewable energy deployment across the country.

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According to her, REAN highlighted key challenges facing the industry, including limited capacity among some State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, SERCs, coordination gaps between renewable energy developers and Distribution Companies, DisCos, proliferation of substandard products, inadequate certification of operators and limited access to timely regulatory information.

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She noted that addressing these challenges would require closer collaboration among regulators, industry players and government institutions.

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Lloyd-Dietake described the partnership between REAN and NERC as crucial to bridging the gap between operators and regulators, particularly as Nigeria seeks to deepen renewable energy adoption amid persistent challenges in grid electricity supply.

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She said both parties committed to improving regulatory frameworks, addressing industry bottlenecks and enhancing investment opportunities within the renewable energy ecosystem.

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According to her, REAN advocated stronger policy coordination, institutional collaboration and effective enforcement mechanisms to drive renewable energy development nationwide.

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The association also stressed that achieving Nigeria’s energy transition objectives would require improved market standards, stronger investor confidence and greater cooperation among stakeholders in the power sector.

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Lloyd-Dietake highlighted REAN’s contributions through its diverse membership, which includes mini-grid developers, solar home system providers, commercial and industrial solar operators, consultants, manufacturers and stakeholders across the solar, hydro, biomass and wind energy value chains.

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She added that 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.

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NERC, according to REAN, reaffirmed 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.

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The commission also emphasised the need for increased public awareness and technical training for solar technicians to improve quality assurance and strengthen consumer confidence in renewable energy solutions.

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In addition, NERC 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.

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Both organisations agreed on the need to establish a national stakeholder engagement platform bringing together regulators, DisCos and renewable energy developers to address operational bottlenecks and improve policy implementation.

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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.

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