Nigeria @59: power experts urge FG to provide financial incentives for on grid solar
– By majorwavesen

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Some stakeholders in the power sector says to revamped the sector, there need for the Federal Government to provide financial incentives for on grid solar and encouraged more mini-grids in the industry.

They spoke in separate interviews with TBI Africa team on Wednesday in Lagos against the backdrop of how government can revive the power sector as Nigeria marks its 59-year anniversary.

 Mr Bolade Soremekun, the Chairman RUBITEC Solar Limited said that power sector is at a standstill and had not recorded much improvement, adding that the industry should accept the Siemens proposal backed by the German Government.

 Soremekun said that part of the Siemens proposal and aggrement to Nigeria government was to help Nigeria improve power supply from the grid in three phases of 7,000MW, 11,000MW, and 25,000MW over a period of six years.

 He said that government got Siemens’ plan to raise power supply to 25000MW, adding that Siemens will also help to upgrade the power distribution and transmission Infrastructure in Nigeria.

 According to Soremekun, “Transmission is a major problem that limits ability to distribute more of the generated power.

 “Government should encourage more solar – on grid and off grid. Also, government should provide financial incentives for on- grid solar and encourage more mini-grids.

 “ If these are done, investors in Mini-Grids are ready to invest in both interconnected and Isolated Mini-Grids,’’ he said.

 Mr Kola Adesina, Chairman Board, Ikeja Electric, said that there is for Nigeria power sector to ensure policy consistency, well-aligned regulatory framework and systemic efficiency to drive the power sector.

 According to Adesina, “The weight of Africa, indeed Nigeria, cannot be carried on a slender limb. We must commingle what’s just and what’s wise in order to deliver on the promise of our nation.

“To leapfrog in critical indices of growth and development, we need to have our resources fully aligned with our vision. Nigeria@59 is work in progress,’’ he said.

 Also, Mr Adetayo Adegbenle, the Executive Director , Power Up Nigeria said for the power sector realised its position, there is need for government to get someone that can ensure The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is really independent as an institution.

 Adegbenle said that the commission should also effective enforcement of the business rules not shifting goalposts to suit interests groups or individuals.

 He advise government to break down the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into zones, thereby establishing several Market Operators to create effectiveness in the industry.

 According to Adegbenle, “Government should encourage more private sector participations so that more capital can be injected into the sector.

 “There is need for amendment of the EPSR Act to reflect the reality of the Power Sector since 2005.

 “Customer education on energy conservation and I am not talking about the present doctored and tale guided customer engagement by NERC and the Discos.

 “Government should enforce Discos investing in distribution network so many of the Discos has not installed a single new transformer since 2013, IBEDC is a case in point,’’ he said.

 He power expert said that if government can achieve d these, it will encourage and boost people’s confidence in the power sector and also attract investors to bring in their funds into the sector to invest.

 Adegnenle said that Nigeria at 59-years not much has been achieved and “we have not done enough.’’, adding that there is room for improvement on the policy sector, industry players, regulations, consumer education and even consumer attitudes which are key.

 He said that the prospect of the sector are enormous, however, said Nigeria need to address the issue of national interest first.

 According to him, “What exactly do we want to achieve? Is there enough willingness to actually solve the challenges of the Power Sector? Is there enough political will to actually solve this problem?.

 He said that the challenges ranges from poor energy mix, which is now being resolved by more investment in renewable energy to poor handling of the electric power sector regulations, to insincerity of the private sector players in Discos.

 Adegbenle said other challenges includes a weak transmission network, poor investment in key distribution networks, poor attitude of consumers to bill payment and energy conservation, while also ultimately leads to the illiquidity of the power sector.

 He said that all the challenges still bore down to the political will to apply recommended solutions to revamped the sector.

 “Doing all these will encourage and boost people’s confidence in the power sector and investors to want to bring in their funds.

 He said that power sector reform is not a silver bullet; government too needs to show some seriousness, adding that the new minister of power, for instance, has not made a single policy statement to say this is where the power sector is going, and this is sad,’’ he added.

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