The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has granted 13 new licenses for off-grid and embedded power generation, independent electricity distribution, and electricity trading. These licenses were issued in the third quarter of 2023, and the cumulative electricity generation capacity of the licensees is 40.9 megawatts.
In its latest report, titled ‘Licenses and Permits Issued or Renewed,’ NERC disclosed that five new off-grid generation licenses, generating 8.81MW, were issued, along with one new license for embedded generation of 5MW. Additionally, the commission granted one new license for an Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN), one for trading, three for off-grid generation, one for embedded generation, and another for an IEDN.
The report explained that NERC issues licenses for various activities within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, including generation, transmission, distribution, trading, and system operations. For activities not requiring licenses but still needing authorization, such as off-grid captive power generation and mini-grid development, permits are issued following a review of relevant applications.
Nigeria currently generates between 3,500MW and 5,000MW of electricity for its population of over 200 million, a situation often described as inadequate for Africa’s largest economy. Despite efforts to boost electricity output, many parts of the country, especially rural communities, experience blackouts regularly.
In June 2023, Nigeria was identified as the country with the largest population lacking access to electricity, with 86 million people without electricity as of 2021. The Federal Government, in collaboration with power sector operators, has been working to increase electricity output. The issuance of these new licenses is seen as a step toward enhancing the country’s power supply and reducing the number of people without access to electricity.
Among the companies granted licenses, Daybreak Power Solutions Limited received eight licenses for various off-grid power generation projects in Lagos, Abia, Borno, Kano, Oyo, and Abuja. Other licenses were granted to Ekiti Independent Power Project, Olokiti Power Distribution Limited, Ember Power Limited, Island Power Limited, and Energy Company of Nigeria Limited for various projects across the country. Power consumer groups, however, continue to express concerns about the persistently poor electricity supply despite significant investments in the sector, urging the government and operators to intensify efforts in delivering reliable electricity to Nigerians.
FG issues 13 new power generation, distribution licences
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has granted 13 new licenses for off-grid and embedded power generation, independent electricity distribution, and electricity trading. These licenses were issued in the third quarter of 2023, and the cumulative electricity generation capacity of the licensees is 40.9 megawatts.
In its latest report, titled ‘Licenses and Permits Issued or Renewed,’ NERC disclosed that five new off-grid generation licenses, generating 8.81MW, were issued, along with one new license for embedded generation of 5MW. Additionally, the commission granted one new license for an Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN), one for trading, three for off-grid generation, one for embedded generation, and another for an IEDN.
The report explained that NERC issues licenses for various activities within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, including generation, transmission, distribution, trading, and system operations. For activities not requiring licenses but still needing authorization, such as off-grid captive power generation and mini-grid development, permits are issued following a review of relevant applications.
Nigeria currently generates between 3,500MW and 5,000MW of electricity for its population of over 200 million, a situation often described as inadequate for Africa’s largest economy. Despite efforts to boost electricity output, many parts of the country, especially rural communities, experience blackouts regularly.
In June 2023, Nigeria was identified as the country with the largest population lacking access to electricity, with 86 million people without electricity as of 2021. The Federal Government, in collaboration with power sector operators, has been working to increase electricity output. The issuance of these new licenses is seen as a step toward enhancing the country’s power supply and reducing the number of people without access to electricity.
Among the companies granted licenses, Daybreak Power Solutions Limited received eight licenses for various off-grid power generation projects in Lagos, Abia, Borno, Kano, Oyo, and Abuja. Other licenses were granted to Ekiti Independent Power Project, Olokiti Power Distribution Limited, Ember Power Limited, Island Power Limited, and Energy Company of Nigeria Limited for various projects across the country. Power consumer groups, however, continue to express concerns about the persistently poor electricity supply despite significant investments in the sector, urging the government and operators to intensify efforts in delivering reliable electricity to Nigerians.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has granted 13 new licenses for off-grid and embedded power generation, independent electricity distribution, and electricity trading. These licenses were issued in the third quarter of 2023, and the cumulative electricity generation capacity of the licensees is 40.9 megawatts.
In its latest report, titled ‘Licenses and Permits Issued or Renewed,’ NERC disclosed that five new off-grid generation licenses, generating 8.81MW, were issued, along with one new license for embedded generation of 5MW. Additionally, the commission granted one new license for an Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN), one for trading, three for off-grid generation, one for embedded generation, and another for an IEDN.
The report explained that NERC issues licenses for various activities within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, including generation, transmission, distribution, trading, and system operations. For activities not requiring licenses but still needing authorization, such as off-grid captive power generation and mini-grid development, permits are issued following a review of relevant applications.
Nigeria currently generates between 3,500MW and 5,000MW of electricity for its population of over 200 million, a situation often described as inadequate for Africa’s largest economy. Despite efforts to boost electricity output, many parts of the country, especially rural communities, experience blackouts regularly.
In June 2023, Nigeria was identified as the country with the largest population lacking access to electricity, with 86 million people without electricity as of 2021. The Federal Government, in collaboration with power sector operators, has been working to increase electricity output. The issuance of these new licenses is seen as a step toward enhancing the country’s power supply and reducing the number of people without access to electricity.
Among the companies granted licenses, Daybreak Power Solutions Limited received eight licenses for various off-grid power generation projects in Lagos, Abia, Borno, Kano, Oyo, and Abuja. Other licenses were granted to Ekiti Independent Power Project, Olokiti Power Distribution Limited, Ember Power Limited, Island Power Limited, and Energy Company of Nigeria Limited for various projects across the country. Power consumer groups, however, continue to express concerns about the persistently poor electricity supply despite significant investments in the sector, urging the government and operators to intensify efforts in delivering reliable electricity to Nigerians.