The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the World Bank will soon be executing a solar auction framework that will reduce the cost of solar tariff in Nigeria.

The Head of the Renewable Energy/Corporate Planning and Strategy, NERC, Engineer O. Jonathan stated this during a webinar competency centre renewable series of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).

He said: “We are having some challenges which have to do with integrating the solar energy into the national grid. Those challenges, many commissions, have come to the aid of the commission.

“World Bank presently is bringing out a solar auction framework. That solar auction framework, once it commences, it will allow the developers and the cost of solar tariff will go down.

“That is the essence of the solar auction. It will open the space for all the contractors in Nigeria to be in it.

“In financing and investment, the World has outlined how they will support in the distribution and transmission segment, not in the generation.”

Head Supply, HSEQ, and Technical at MEMAN in a communique made available to journalists on Friday remarked on the importance of the workshop in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition agenda. The workshop was titled: “Energy transition through solar energy.”

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engineer Abiola Kosegbe, said there is a deficit in the energy needs of Nigerians and Lagos State residents, in particular.

She stated that Lagos State has set an ambitious target to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with initiatives like the “Solar for All” program playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.

She stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure, supportive policies, and collaboration to sustain the growth of renewable energy in Lagos and across Nigeria.

Kosegbe said: “Advancement of renewable technologies and the transformative potential for the energy sector. We know that there is a deficit in the energy needs of Nigerians and in Lagos State, in particular. That cannot just be over-emphasised.

“We stand on a new era of advancement in renewable technologies. We need to fill the gaps that we are faced as we are in Nigeria today. Solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy are not just alternative sources.

“They are becoming the backbone of sustainable energy future. Innovations in this fields are driving efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking new possibilities.

“Focusing on solar power, for example, recent breakthroughs in the energy storage are dramatically increasing solar efficiency and making it more accessible than ever.

“Wind energy too, has seen remarkable strides with development of larger more efficient turbines and offshore installations that harness stronger and more consistent winds.

“For Lagos State we have set an ambitious renewable energy target. We are aiming to generate 50% of electricity through renewable sources by 2030. Solar energy is leading the charge with Lagos state government launching initiatives like Solar for all programme, providing affordable solar energy solutions for homes and businesses.

“In Lagos State today, we have seen the solar energy adaption grow by 200% in the last two years.

“The advancement in renewable energy technologies are not just shaping the future of energy, they are defining it, with continues innovation and dedication, we have the opportunity to create energy sector and in deed a society that is clean, resilient and sustainable for generations to come.”

Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, said both the federal and state governments need to commission and adequately fund national research programmes on specific solar solar photovoltaic (PV) component aspects so that it will enhance the localization of some percentage of technology in Nigeria.

His presentation which focused on advancing solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in Nigeria, was delivered by the Director, Renewable Energy Department, Sulu Bolaji Fulani Ibrahim.

He stated that solar PV holds immense potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, with applications ranging from home systems to large-scale utility projects.

According to him, there is a critical need to adopt the latest solar technologies to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money.

He underscored the importance of policy documents such as the National Energy Policy and the Renewable Energy Action Plan in guiding the development of solar energy.

He added that the strategic use of Nigeria’s mineral resources, such as lithium, is crucial for supporting local content and driving the renewable energy industry.

He said: “We need do to have parameters for assessment so that we have value for money. This is for cost effectiveness. We also have to look at the technology readiness level and the local content of the solar PV technology.

“For technology readiness, most of the solar PV components we are using in Nigeria today are at the highest meaning that technology is matured. For local content, we have minerals that are key to energy transition.

“One of them is lithium. So we need to take advantage of the minerals reserves that we have. We need to develop the local content.” (New Telegraph)

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