• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Harnessing potentials of renewable energy in Nigeria

Renewable-Energy
With the increasing power need for domestic and industrial purposes, some of the challenges posed by conventional non- renewable energy sources include damage to the environment, their exhaustive nature, fluctuation in the prices of oil etcetera. Power generation in Nigeria is mainly from hydro and gas-fired thermal power plants
Renewable energy sources, which are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, biomass and geothermal heat provide some succour as they are less damaging to the environment and naturally replenished.
However, the enormous potential of this source of power is largely untapped, notwithstanding the fact that Nigeria is blessed with these renewable energy sources. The main source of renewable energy in Nigeria is hydro. In recent times, there is a gradual evolution of solar. Renewable energy sources like biomass, which could solve the problem of waste while in turn providing power is under harnessed. Same goes for other renewable energy sources like wind.
In Nigeria, a plethora of legislative enactments, regulations, and policies govern the generation and use of power from renewable energy sources. These include:
• Electricity Power Sector Reform Act, 2005;
• Environmental Impact Assessment Act, 1992 
• Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency Act, 2015
• Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Mini-Grid Regulation, 2017;
• NERC Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff Regulations, 2015;
• National Electric Power Policy, 2001;
• Nigerian National Energy Policy, 2003;
• Renewable Energy Master Plan, 2005;
• Renewable Energy Policy Guidelines, 2006;
• The Renewable Electricity Action Programme, 2006; and,
• National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, 2015
It is noteworthy that the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) issued by the federal government was developed as a robust policy document to consolidate the objectives of the previous policies. It provides a blueprint for the sustainable development, supply and utilization of renewable energy resources within the economy for both on-grid and off-grid energy solutions. However, much of the objectives of this policy is yet to be achieved.
Some of the Challenges hampering the generation of power through renewable energy sources include:
• Multiplicity of Policies, Regulations and Regulators:
Active players in this industry and investors would have to deal with a plethora of government institutions and agencies. They have to deal with NERC, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Federal Ministry of Power and so on.
Others include lack of Finance,  public awareness,  poor quality control of locally manufactured and imported technologies, poor legal enforcement mechanisms:
Thus, to promote the production of power through renewable energy sources in Nigeria, it is also necessary that the government and regulatory agencies of the power sector ensure the following:
•  Effective collaboration and co-operation between the existing regulators to avoid duplication of functions. This will help attract potential investors;
• Power Production Tax Credit proposed by the NREEEP should be implemented. This will make the production and sales of power from renewable energy sources viable;
• Liberalization of the electricity market by offering consumers the right to choose their energy provider;
• Leveraging on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the financing of renewable energy project through Design- Build – Operate and Transfer arrangements;
• Adequate dissemination of information on renewable energy resource availability, benefits and opportunity to the general public. This will raise public awareness and generate activities in the area; and,
• Promoting research and development in the renewable energy industry.
A good energy mix will help solve the power challenges in Nigeria. Harnessing the potentials of renewable energy will increase access to on-grid and off-grid power solutions, while addressing environmental issues associated with power generation. Thus, promoting the social and economic wellbeing Nigerians and meeting the sustainable development goals.
Anu OGUNRO

Anu Ogunro , Managing Partner, Top-Notch Legal Practitioners