Di Federal Government, through di Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), don launch new guidelines for solar mini-grids wey go connect to di distribution network. Dis one happun for Abuja yesterday.
Di guidelines, wey dem call National Guidelines for Interconnecting Solar Mini-Grids to Distribution Networks, get support from Germany and European Union. Dem also hand over advanced solar testing equipment to NEMSA for field inspections.
Di equipment na part of di third phase of di Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP). Di Managing Director of NEMSA, Olusegun Adesayo, tok say di guidelines go provide clear procedures, technical requirements, interconnection models and operational standards.
According to am, di aim na to integrate solar mini-grids into distribution networks without compromising grid stability, power quality, system reliability and public safety. Di framework go reduce uncertainty for investors and developers, and strengthen collaboration among distribution companies, mini-grid developers, regulators and other stakeholders.
Adesayo note say di rapid expansion of interconnected mini-grids across di country make am necessary to establish uniform standards for safe and efficient integration into di national grid. He add say di guidelines align with di Electricity Act 2023, existing regulatory frameworks and international standards, and go boost investor confidence and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
Head of Cooperation at di EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, stress di importance of maintaining strict technical and operational standards as private sector-led mini-grids continue to expand. He say adherence to standards is critical to ensuring compatibility, reliability and safe operations across di electricity value chain.
De Luca talk say, “I am pleased to see not only di development of dese standards but also di provision of testing equipment wey go be deployed in di field as mini-grids are installed.” He reiterate di EU commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition agenda through technical assistance, strategic partnerships and investments in sustainable energy solutions.
Head of Development Cooperation at di German Embassy for Nigeria, Dr Karin Jansen, say di guidelines go provide clarity and direction for developers, financiers and investors wey dey seek opportunities for Nigeria’s renewable energy market. She note say di framework go promote uniformity while ensuring say interconnected solar mini-grids dey developed in line with international best practices.
She add say, “Through di Nigerian Energy Support Programme, we don work closely with government institutions and sector stakeholders to promote policy reforms, capacity development and market-based solutions.”
Di Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, commend NEMSA and its partners. He note say solar mini-grids remain critical to expanding electricity access, particularly for underserved communities. He talk say di guidelines go enhance system reliability, reduce regulatory uncertainty and support ongoing power sector reforms wey dey aim to decentralise electricity supply.
