Despite the fact that the British colonial administration in Ijora Lagos generated electricity in 1896, Nigeria has had chronic power outages since the 1960s. The inconsistent supply had extended across the country, making it unpredictable and inconvenient. The Electric Power Implementation Committee was established by the federal government in 2000 to provide advice on electric power reform; the committee's efforts resulted in the National Electric Power Implementation Policy. The NEPIP lays out the overall framework for Nigeria's strategy on long-term power distribution, with a focus on efficient distribution and use.

The National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) was introduced as a result of government and stakeholder engagement to promote the growth of renewable energy in Nigeria. The four-year Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project (REEEP) in Nigeria was completed in 2018 by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with Power Africa. On a more progressive note, this project has delivered renewable energy to 261,938 Nigerian individuals via 16,600 connections in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Solar energy is a renewable resource that can be used in an environmentally beneficial manner. As a result, when the availability and environmental costs of other kinds of energy are evaluated, the competitiveness of solar energy in relation to these other forms becomes extremely clear, especially for low to moderate-cost applications. As a result, when the availability and environmental costs of other types of energy are evaluated, the competitiveness of solar energy in relation to these other forms of energy becomes quite clear, especially for low to medium power applications.

Benefit/Opportunities in the Government Policies for Renewable Energy

The Nigerian government initiated the Solar Power Naija Project in 2020 as part of its recovery from the covid-19 pandemic. The project aims to roll out 5 million solar-based connections to off-grid regions. The initiative is estimated to produce around 250,000 employment and will target 25 million residences. The project's cost is anticipated to be around US$620 million. What comes to mind is that this is a significant investment. Yes! It is, in fact. The Energy Project Africa (EPA), a thriving renewable energy company specialising in solar and microgrid, procurement and energy sourcing, energy audits and consultancy, thermal and acoustic projects for businesses and communities, has identified this opportunity and is ready to assist potential investors in profiting from it. Although our existing clients have been reaping this advantage from related projects which we have helped to identify.

Nigeria is located inside a high sunlight belt, and solar radiation is very evenly distributed throughout the country. Total solar radiation varies from around 12.6 MJ/m2 -day in coastal latitudes to about 25.2 MJ/m2 -day in the far north. EPA recognises that the intensity of solar radiation incidents on the earth's surface varies with location, season, day of the month, time of day, instantaneous cloud cover, and other environmental factors; however, we assure our existing and prospective clients that the incorporation of efficient storage devices in solar energy conversion systems will account for this intermittent nature of solar radiation availability. This is easy because we are involved directly in procuring solar components and delivering solar equipment from Pylontech, Schneider, Fullriver; Index-Exide; and Deka, solar equipment manufacturers that are European and American companies.

Solar radiation conversion technologies are either solar-thermal (solar heating, cooling, drying, and thermal power plants) or photovoltaic (solar energy conversion) (direct conversion to electricity). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a feasibility study on the use of solar thermal technologies in enterprises and African communities. Crop drying, residential heating, heating of process water for companies, hospitals, air conditioning, power generation, and other applications are all possible. We've also looked at photovoltaic (PV) power in low-to-medium-power applications and in distant places, including communication stations, rural radio, water pumping, freezers, and other applications that require 1-10 kW of power. A feasibility study was also conducted on solar power provision to remote settlements that were not linked to the national grid.



In an effort to mitigate the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic, the Central Bank of Nigeria has established a solar intervention fund, which provides low-interest loans (5% APR) to developers of renewable energy projects with credit facilities of up to 500 million naira. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Power also asked qualified bidders to tender for the installation of different off-grid solar systems and other energy infrastructure projects throughout the country in 2020. All of these are possibilities that have frequently surfaced in the renewable energy sector. The EPA has experts that are skilled in conducting solar farm surveys, off-grid and mini-grid solar system installations. Energy Project Africa will perform a study to gather the seasonal data required to actualize your off-grid dream. We engaged our team in data collection, analysis and interpretation on existing and prospective off-grid demand. This is necessary because if demand falls short of expectations, the mini-revenue grids may not be enough to cover the project's fixed costs, let alone pay for maintenance or replacement equipment. Based on our considerable energy audit experience and understanding, EPA can estimate current loads.

EPA encourages the use of renewable energy and is working on a plan to put it in place. We conceive Nigeria's renewable energy ambitions and attempt to address the critical aspects that will enable them to be realised. Nigeria's minimum electricity consumption is expected to exceed 315MW by 2030, according to the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP). The goal is for renewable energy to account for more than 20% of the total energy supply. In line with this, we anticipate future loads based on demographic and economic expansion using current data and we maintained a positive and friendly relationship with the document's regulatory bodies. This is another reason why you should allow us the opportunity to guide you through the process.

Renewable Energy Policy Guidelines (REPG), outline policy objectives for the production and use of renewable energy. The main difference between REPG and REMP is that REPG places a greater emphasis on renewable energy generation and delivery. The EPA fulfils its responsibility in accordance with the REPG policy by developing a strategy for a cost-effective Renewable Electricity Administration. We are pleased to be a Nigerian solar company, and we intend to build a future in which the local energy storage sector becomes more cost-effective, innovative, and competitive, as well as develop solutions that benefit both African communities and businesses.

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP) (2015–2030) were approved by the National Council on Power after being endorsed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ICREEE). We offer a strategic assessment of the situation in Nigeria, as well as plans for achieving the renewable energy targets. Effective energy, emission reduction, efficient lighting, monitoring, distribution, enforcement, and verification of standards of materials, residences, buildings, and businesses are all given special attention.

The Energy for All - Rural Electrification Program is a programme that aims to electrify all of the country's rural areas. This programme outlines the federal government's plan to use renewable energy to power 304 healthcare facilities and schools around the country (primarily solar). This programme was launched in August 2020 and will be carried out. Because the project will be carried out in partnership with solar companies in the country over a period of 12 months, investing in it will give a larger return. With a vast knowledge and experience of the Energy Project Africa (EPA) team, we conduct a feasibility study that will save your resources and at the same time save you from stress. We carried out a feasibility study that evaluates your off-grid project’s potential for success; as we take perceived objectivity as essential. EPA is well equipped with trained personnel to help you locate and define a geographical area.

Policy Recommendations

Although Nigeria's renewable energy sector is still in its infancy, there has been significant progress, particularly in the execution of renewable energy projects. Due to the large capital expenditures that these projects necessitate, raising funds in this area always appears to be a Herculean task. International, regional, or local investments, grants, and public-private partnerships, which may include the Nigerian state or federal government, are common sources of funding.

Renewable energy grants are similar to financial incentives granted by governments and international organisations for the completion of projects. Financial consequences such as a loan or loan guarantee, interest rate subsidy, revenue sharing, and so on are generally excluded from donations.

Concessional loans are financial advances granted at below-market rates with a moratorium term during which the loan recipient is not required to return the amount. The African Guarantee Fund's Green Energy Fund Programme (GEF-P), the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) intervention loan, and the Nigerian Bank of Industry's Six Billion Naira Solar Energy Fund are all examples of this.

Because we do not currently manufacture renewable energy equipment, there should be tax incentives to encourage the importing of this technology. Zero tariffs on solar panels should be one of the incentives. In general, a call for a complete tax exemption on renewables should be made in order to encourage growth and healthy competition in the renewable energy sector.

Conclusion

Following Nigeria's participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, there has been an increased focus on the feasibility and desirability of increasing power generation through renewable energy sources, in order to meet Nigeria's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) 2030 target for climate change mitigation. In this sense, Nigeria's renewable energy policy includes solar power generation and a reduction in the use of fossil fuel-burning generator sets. EPA is a major solar company that does feasibility studies and sells self-contained solar systems to communities and businesses, allowing for more access to sustainable energy. International funders such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank, as well as local visionaries such as the EPA, have all invested in renewable energy in Nigeria. It is intended that the investments would be reflected in enforcement and that renewable energy use will increase.

Energy Project Africa is a leading renewable energy business in Lagos, Nigeria with expertise in procurement of energy equipment, energy audit and feasibility solutions for mini-grid and solar farms. Supply by EPA provides solar products and equipment for corporate and institutional clients for the project and operational needs. If you need a partner with hands-on local expertise in the renewable energy space or any of our bespoke solutions/services, kindly visit: https://www.energy-projects.africa/ourservices/corporate-sourcing-and-procurement/ to learn more.