The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) has reportedly mapped over 3,937 settlements, 3,244,605 buildings and 60,183 Kilometers of 11 and 33 KiloVolt (kV) medium voltage line of the grid in 28 states.
The NESP and its projects is collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit popularly known as GIZ.
Rising from a meeting held in his office in Abuja with the country director of the GIZ, Ina Hommers and her team led by German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Martin Huth, Nigeria’s power minister, Engr. Abubakir Aliyu, said the federal government is committed to providing effective and steady power supply through renewable energy.
According to him, the mapping data when concluded will provide information for electrification and planning, least cost, electricity access and decision making for would-be investors.
He informed that as of 2020, the six Solar PV mini-grid developed under phase I of NESP were providing sustainable electricity to more than 15,000 people, adding that an additional 100,000 people would be reached under phase II of NESP through the Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (MAS).
The minister who congratulated the newly elected government in Germany said the collaboration between GIZ and Nigeria supports skill development in the sector with seven vocational training, targeting an increase of women in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry.
Aliyu noted that under Inter-connected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS) phase II of NESP, rural electrification materials valued at €9million would be handed over to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on February 17, 2022.
He reechoed the assurances of the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, that the German government is committed to supporting the Nigerian ministry of power. According to the minister, the visit of the German delegation was to introduce the need for an energy transition which according to him is the future of the energy industry,
Aliyu confirmed that a Nigerian–German Hydrogen office has been created in Nigeria to support the country’s access to the potential of Green Hydrogen in her energy transition efforts and export diversification intention.
He said “This is also to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to tap into the potential in the future.”
By Sunday Elom
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